The Los Angeles Lakers took a three-game winning streak and some budding positive vibes into Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings — only to put forth a dud.
They were outclassed in several categories as the Kings made very quick work of them in a 125-110 decision. The Lakers now have a 6-6 record, and while no one is panicking, at least not yet, there are reasons for concern.
What looked like a championship-caliber roster when the season started is now, at least according to some, looking like a vastly flawed roster. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis have played well most of the time, L.A.’ two main guards — D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves — have been somewhat inconsistent offensively.
Trade rumors are starting to activate, and as far as the Lakers are concerned, they involve three Chicago Bulls players: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and former cult hero Alex Caruso.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha says the team has some real interest in LaVine (h/t Lakers Daily).
Via The Athletic:
“The Lakers’ interest in LaVine is real — at the right price,” Buha wrote. “However, LaVine’s potential availability also hints at the possibility of a fire sale in Chicago, with the organization seemingly looking to finally pivot away from its longstanding mediocrity. If additional Bulls players become available, the Lakers would also have interest in DeMar DeRozan and/or former Laker Alex Caruso, according to multiple team sources.”
LaVine has been linked to the Lakers periodically over the last few years. He played his college ball at the University of California, Los Angeles, and he is represented by Klutch Sports, which, of course, also represents James and Davis.
However, as Buha pointed out, whether LaVine would actually fit in, let alone help the team, is an open question.
“There’s also an open question of how much LaVine would actually address the Lakers’ needs, particularly perimeter defense and 3-point shooting.
“This season, LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.8 steals in 35.2 minutes per game. He would give the Lakers a reliable third (and even second, on some nights) scoring option. He’d also give them a much-needed infusion of perimeter athleticism and 3-point shooting – he’s making just 33 percent from 3 this season, but 38.2 percent for his career. At the same time, though he’s improved as a defender through the years, LaVine remains a liability on that end and would exacerbate LA’s current backcourt issues.”
The Bulls are currently 4-8, and their best bet may be to hit the proverbial reset button.
What a potential LaVine trade could look like
If the Lakers do end up pulling the trigger for LaVine, it would be a major trade, largely because he will make just over $40 million this season.
Buha outlined the parameters of a potential deal for the 6-foot-5 wing.
“Because so many of the Lakers’ players recently received new contracts, the only players they can include in a trade at this very moment are James, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis and their three two-way contract players (Colin Castleton, Alex Fudge and D’Moi Hodge).
“The Lakers would realistically have to wait until at least until Dec. 15, when most of their roster becomes trade-eligible (Russell, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, [Cam] Reddish, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes). Beyond that, [Austin] Reaves and Rui Hachimura become trade eligible on Jan. 15. (Davis becomes trade eligible on Feb. 6, but don’t expect them to move him or James. Jarred Vanderbilt cannot be traded due to his multi-year contract extension.) The Lakers aren’t interested in including Reaves in a potential LaVine deal despite his recent move to the bench, according to multiple team sources.
“Would the Bulls be willing to wait for one-to-two months — and pass on potentially better offers — just to move LaVine to Los Angeles?
“The most likely framework of a LaVine deal would center around Russell, who waived his implied no-trade clause over the offseason. It’d also need to feature Hachimura or Vincent as additional matching salary, another player and either the team’s 2029 or 2030 first-round pick – potentially with protections. (It cannot include both due to the restrictions of the Stepien rule). The Lakers would prefer to expand a theoretical trade to include Caruso, in the scenario that he’s eventually made available. One complication in that case is that the Lakers do not have many available first-round picks left to trade, though they could insert another pick swap (the first-round pick they don’t send between 2029 and 2030) and have four second-round picks available to trade.”
The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET. If Lakers fans are dreaming of a big trade, particularly for a third star such as LaVine, they will likely have to wait until the calendar turns over to 2024.
