76ers Rival Rumors: Bulls’ Zach LaVine on Trade Block

Could Zach LaVine get moved this offseason?
76ers Rival Rumors: Bulls’ Zach LaVine on Trade Block
76ers Rival Rumors: Bulls’ Zach LaVine on Trade Block /

Will the Chicago Bulls begin to tear down their core set of players and head toward a soft rebuild? So far, it seems Chicago is considering that scenario as there are rumors going around stating that the star scorer Zach LaVine is on the trade block.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Bulls have started contacting teams and have been described as “quietly gauging” the trade interest in LaVine. 

Does that mean LaVine is surely on the outs? Not quite. For starters, this isn’t the first time LaVine’s name has been tossed around in trade rumors. Over the last couple of years, LaVine was viewed as a potential sleeper target for several contending teams. However, trade discussions didn’t get very far.

So far, the Bulls are taking it slow with this situation. Per Fischer, it remains to be seen how willing the Bulls are to part ways with LaVine. Right now, they are still in the early phases, searching the standout’s market to see what they could potentially land for LaVine.

Would the Sixers Get Involved?

In the past, the Sixers were linked to LaVine, but there were never any signs of serious conversations taking place between the Bulls and the Sixers. 

So far, Philadelphia has no connection to LaVine whatsoever. Could that change? Well, it all depends on Philadelphia’s ten-time All-Star guard, James Harden.

Currently, Harden has a second-year player option at his disposal. The league-wide expectation is that he’ll opt out and hit the open market. If and when he does, Harden will get attention from the Houston Rockets and potentially the Phoenix Suns

Predictions about where Harden could potentially land have changed by the day, but as free agency inches closer, the Sixers are gaining the advantage and quickly becoming favorites to retain Harden. If that’s the case, then LaVine probably won’t get much of a look from Philadelphia.

However, if Harden takes his talents elsewhere, the Sixers would have to explore other options. In the event that happens, perhaps the Bulls could get a call from Daryl Morey and the 76ers.

LaVine wouldn’t necessarily fit the bill of a Harden-like playmaker, but he’s a proven three-level scorer who’s been dominant for the last five seasons. Since his first full season in Chicago, LaVine has averaged 25 points, five assists, and four rebounds while knocking down 48 percent of his shots and hitting on 39 percent of his threes.

Only time will tell if the Sixers will take a crack at negotiating a deal to land LaVine. So far, the focus remains on getting Harden back to the City of Brotherly Love. 


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA