Lakers Rumors: Zach Lavine-To-LA Trade In Flux Because Of This Issue?
Your Los Angeles Lakers are due for a big acquisition, as the team sits at just .500 (19-19) following a victory against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, despite superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis being at full health nearly all season.
A number of big names have swirled, including the likes of Dejounte Murray, but two-time Chicago Bulls All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine has been the mainstay in trade talks all season.
Recent news, however, begins to posit the concern that LaVine's market is rather "quiet," per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
“The market for Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine still has been quiet, as interested teams remain reluctant to absorb the four seasons and roughly $180 million remaining on his contract,” Fischer writes. “LaVine is trending toward a return Friday from a weeks-long absence due to right foot inflammation. Perhaps a strong return to play, with the defensive effort he once showed for Team USA that intrigued NBA evaluators, could add some momentum for a LaVine deal. The struggling Lakers do forecast as the most sensible landing spot for the 28-year-old former All-Star, even though Los Angeles, too, has so far indicated a hesitancy to take on LaVine’s money, sources said.”
LaVine's massive contract is a huge issue as it pertains to him generating trade value, but for the Lakers, it also means the price on him should be much lower than the value he actually brings as a player.
The 6'5" UCLA product could most definitely be part of the Lakers longer-term future even after this season, which is what makes a trade justifiable to me, as a cheap return for him on top of garnering long-term value would be terrific.
