Zach LaVine ‘Obviously’ Wants Lakers Trade, But Key Issue Looms for Bulls, per Report

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine remains a focus of NBA trade rumors, and it seems as if he’s eyeing a move to the Los Angeles Lakers.

If it feels like the Zach LaVine-to-Lakers trade rumors will never die, there may be a reason for that. Indeed, the latest report on LaVine only will intensify the rumblings of a potential deal that would create the NBA’s next big three.

The Bulls guard and his representation (you guessed it, Klutch Sports) “obviously want” a trade to Los Angeles, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. The reported interest from LaVine’s side comes on the heels of Cowley’s mentioning that the Raptors are the one team interested in a potential deal for the 28-year-old.

But here’s where a complication may lie for Chicago in its potential pursuit of a deal. Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas is having close to no luck finding any “real market interest” for LaVine, according to Cowley.

Bulls guard Zach LaVine reportedly has his sights set on a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s safe to assume the Lakers aren’t going to do much in the way of bidding against themselves for LaVine. But if they‘re in a position to land him at a reasonable price? It’s tough to argue against the team making a move in that potential scenario, especially if Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and Co. can keep the core of the roster together.

The lack of apparent trade interest in LaVine, paired with his supposed desire to join the Lakers, could make this a sticky situation for the Bulls in regard to trade compensation for the guard.

Regardless, the idea of Chicago keeping LaVine through the trade deadline seems like a long shot at this point.