The Bulls and Lakers have constantly talked about DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Zach LaVine over the past month. From Chicago’s end, they’ve expressed interest in receiving back 25-year-old Austin Reaves in a deal for any of their three assets. Chris Haynes, Senior NBA Insider for TNT and Bleacher Report, has recently reported that the Lakers are “unwilling” to include their rising star in any deals, meaning the Bulls may have to turn elsewhere. Would Chicago execute a deal with Los Angeles sans Reaves, or will they send their three trade pieces elsewhere before the February 5th deadline?
Reaves Staying In Los Angeles
According to Haynes, he’s told that the Lakers are “not interested” in sending Chicago a package that includes Austin Reaves. That would equate to the best the Bulls can extract: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and other salary-filling pieces. Reaves has emerged as a critical player for the Lakers over the past two seasons, bursting onto the scene during last year’s Western Conference Finals run and continuing his growth on Team USA last summer. Since moving to the bench this year and operating mainly with the Lakers’ second unit, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award has become his to lose.
LaVine, averaging under 20 points per game for the first time since arriving in Chicago seven seasons ago, has seen his value severely deplete over the last few weeks. The Bulls’ 7-3 record in his absence doesn’t make his market more willing to pay for a player his current team has been better without. His contract remains one of the worst decisions in recent memory for the Bulls, and as the 15th highest-paid player this season, he has the most minor accolades and playoff experience on that list. Mainly due to his $40 million due annually for the next four years, he’ll be a difficult move as the deadline approaches.
Lowering Expectations In A LaVine Trade
Per NBC Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, Bulls’ fans should be “bracing” themselves for a much less appealing trade return than LaVine would have brought in during the last two trade deadlines. His contract, injury history, recent disgruntled attitude, one-dimensional play style, and lack of a resume have made him a diminished asset to try and move.
Finding an underperforming team with a bit of desperation is Chicago’s best hope here. Detroit’s historic losing streak, the Knicks’ below-expectation start to the year, or possibly Golden State’s concerning launch to the 2023 campaign are the type of suitors who could be looking for a shakeup before year’s end. Another wave of players becomes trade-eligible on January 15th, so potential transactions would likely occur at that time. Los Angeles will probably be one of their first calls, with a package around Hachimura and Russell, and barring any other offers, it may be their lone choice.
At 7-3 with their only losses coming via overtime, a buzzer-beating effort, and to the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets, can this new Chicago team risk returning to their 28-year-old star or is it time to move on from the face of the franchise since Jimmy Butler’s departure?
