Lakers Headline Shortlist of Teams Linked to Zach LaVine Trade Rumors, per Report

The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are believed to be the frontrunners to acquire the Chicago Bulls guard in a potential swap.

While Bulls guard Zach LaVine remains sidelined due to inflammation in his right foot, potential trade suitors apparently are closely monitoring his situation. More specifically, the Lakers and 76ers are keeping an eye on the potential to swing a deal for LaVine, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Los Angeles and Philadelphia were listed as “expected suitors” for LaVine. Charania also pointed out that the Lakers and 76ers are working from a position of “patience and due diligence.” To wit, it doesn’t appear likely that either team will strike a deal in the immediate future, unless something about the situation changes drastically.

Chicago (9–14) sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, just outside a potential spot in the play-in tournament after winning four consecutive games. The recent hot stretch doesn’t necessarily mean LaVine will remain with the Bulls beyond the trade deadline, but it does add a wrinkle in the situation.

Bulls guard Zach LaVine has been linked to the Lakers and 76ers in trade rumors / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

As for the Lakers (14–9), they’re fresh off being crowned the NBA’s inaugural NBA in-season tournament champions and have to feel good about the team’s overall outlook. This would explain the decision to remain patient on a potential LaVine deal, and how their core comes together over the next few weeks could ultimately affect how they proceed ahead of the trade deadline.

The 76ers (14–7) sit just two games out of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and could look to bolster their lineup with LaVine in exchange for assets acquired in the James Harden trade.