Bulls’ Zach LaVine will become another trade target, but what is the Bulls asking price? (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Every week, Mark Medina shares his thoughts and insights on the latest NBA topics for RG. In this installment, he talks about Chicago Bulls' shooting guard Zach LaVine and his prospects ahead of the trade deadline.
For the next month, Zach LaVine will receive feedback about his identity and value. Who knows if that will provide clarity, contradictions or a mix of both.
Ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6, 2025, LaVine will likely become one of the NBA’s most-discussed players in potential deals. That may or may not mean he will also become the most coveted.
That’s because LaVine has continued facing a series of unresolved questions.
Has LaVine offered enough encouragement about his durability this season, or do teams still worry about his previous recent history? Has LaVine shown enough with his stellar play, or do teams still wonder how he would fit in as either a first, second or third option? Can the Bulls command a large size in return for any trade involving LaVine, or will they have to shift their expectations?
The Bulls and LaVine already experienced this dance last season. Chicago wanted more than what the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons would offer. LaVine’s value depressed since he played in only 25 games while rehabbing right ankle and right foot injuries. Chicago didn’t want to ship other key pieces either, including Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, amid its relative optimism it could still become a viable playoff contender.
The dynamics have since changed.
The ninth-seeded Bulls ended their season with a second-round loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In tournament. In separate off-season trades, the Bulls dealt DeRozan (to Sacramento) and Caruso (to Oklahoma City). Chicago (15-18) enters Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards (5-25) in ninth place in the Eastern Conference again. Its relative success largely has to do with LaVine showing noticeable improvement with his scoring (22.0 points per game), field-goal percentage (49.9%), 3-point shooting (44.7%), assists (4.3) and games played (28 out of 33). Yet, the Bulls have also further leaned on their crop of young talent, including Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams.
Not surprising then that the Athletic and NBA insider Marc Stein both reported that the Denver Nuggets have expressed interest in LaVine.
The Nuggets (18-13) sit in sixth place in the Western Conference amid Jamal Murray’s inconsistent play and Aaron Gordon’s early-season injury. Denver center Nikola Jokić still warrants consideration to win his fourth regular-season MVP award in the past five seasons. But Jokić doesn’t have the same reliable supporting cast that at least ensured his MVP-numbers didn’t solely dictate the team’s success. As shown with the Bulls this season, LaVine has improved in nearly every area of his game.
LaVine has shed his reputation as a player that can only thrive as a scorer and with a ball in his hands. He has shown he can produce not just by relying on his athleticism. He has demonstrated his past injuries may be fully behind him. He would become the perfect player to complement Jokić.
Only problem: do the Bulls want anything the Nuggets have to offer?
Denver could dangle an unprotected first round pick, which is valuable for both rebuilding and playoff teams. The Nuggets can also deal wing Michael Porter Jr, who has overcome his early health issues and morphed into a lethal complementary scorer both as a shooter and driver. He has become comfortable with playing off the ball. But he hasn’t proven himself as a reliable defender or playmaker. It also doesn’t help that LaVine and Porter don’t have matching salaries. While LaVine has $137.8 million left on his three-year contract, Porter has $114 remaining on his three-year deal. But as NBC Sports Chicago reported, the Bulls haven’t shown any willingness with the Nuggets including power forward Zeke Njaji, who’s in the beginning of a four-year, $32 million contract.
Too bad LaVine has not sparked interest in neither the Golden State Warriors nor the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors may still pursue deals after acquiring guard Dennis Schröder from Brooklyn for injured forward De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks. But they don’t want to part ways with their young prospects, including Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. Even before the Lakers acquired a 3-and-D wing (Dorian Finney-Smith) and playmaker (Shake Melton) from Brooklyn for a dynamic point guard (D’Angelo Russell), seldom-used prospect (Maxwell Lewis) and three second-round picks, the Lakers had reservations about acquiring LaVine amid the Bulls’ wants to have Austin Reaves and their three first-round picks. The Lakers likely feel less inclined to pull a deal since they still value having roster depth around LeBron James and Anthony Davis instead of a third star.
The market will evolve closer to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Then teams have more clarity on if a player of LaVine’s caliber will significantly boost their playoff or championship chances. Then, the Bulls will find out if they will have a big payday or a garage sale.
Mark Medina
