Lakers News: Insiders Confident LA, Chicago Will Agree To Trade This Year
There has been a lot of talk about a possible trade that would send All-Star guard Zach LaVine to the Lakers this season. Normally when there is this much smoke, fire is right around the corner, and it feels that way here as well.
Chicago Bulls insider Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, in a new piece with colleague Jovan Buha, believes that the two sides will likely come together at some point on a deal. This could be either for LaVine or DeMar DeRozan as the headlining piece back to LA.
"All signs are pointing to these teams eventually finding common ground on a deal that works for both sides. The fit as trade partners was apparent before. But as the season has progressed, it seems imperative that they come together on a trade."
Mayberry mentions that the biggest roadblock to any deal is what the Lakers would be willing to give up, or what they could even trade. LA doesn't have a ton of strong assets, but the Bulls may have to take what they can get.
This becomes especially true in a potential LaVine trade, as the market is fairly dry at the moment. It may end up being Lakers or bust for the All-Star guard this season. His contract also could cause some issues, with the Lakers preferring to not take on long-term commitments.
"Now that it’s public knowledge LaVine and the franchise are open to ending their partnership, Chicago doesn’t appear to have a ton of leverage. LaVine’s contract alone — he’s in the second season of a five-year, $215 million deal — will be difficult for most teams to absorb and is expected to limit the Bulls’ available trade offers."
It may take another team to make this trade happen, and both Mayberry and Lakers Insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic agreed on that part.
"We agree. I think that’s where this is likely headed if it happens: a three- or even four-team deal."
Adding a third or fourth team could help facilitate a deal to go through where every party gets what they want. But it does feel like LaVine could be heading to Los Angeles at some point in the next few weeks.
"They feel like they would be doing the Bulls a favor by clearing LaVine’s salary off their books and kickstarting a rebuild if the Bulls ultimately go in that direction."
With the trade deadline in early February, the two teams have some time to figure everything out. But the LaVine rumors to the Lakers aren't going away anytime soon.
Though LaVine won't be available, the rest of the Chicago Bulls will host the Lakers tonight at 5 p.m. PT, in the two teams' first match of the year.
