Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine Have Interest in Exploring Trade; Would He Fit with Dallas Mavs?

There was a time where Zach LaVine was viewed as an excellent trade target for the Dallas Mavericks, but now that he might finally be available, but that might not be the case anymore with Luka Doncic having Kyrie Irving by his side.

Although we're only a 10 games into the 2023-24 NBA season, there's already been one big trade with the Philadelphia 76ers sending James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers, and now there might be another big one brewing.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, many teams are "probing" the availability of Chicago Bulls star shooting guard Zach LaVine, and apparently, the Bulls and LaVine are on the same page in having "openness" about exploring a trade.

"Developing: NBA teams are probing the availability of Bulls two-time All-Star Zach LaVine and there is increased openness from both sides about exploring a trade, sources say," Shams tweeted.

Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine shoots over Dallas Mavericks' Grant Williams / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

If you've followed our DallasBasketball.com pipe-dream trade scenarios over the last few years, you know we've explored the idea of LaVine joining forces with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. At the time those ideas were presented, Doncic didn't have a true co-star by his side, but now he has Kyrie Irving, and the two have led the Mavs to an 8-2 record to start the year, good enough for second in the Western Conference.

Should Dallas have interest in LaVine now that he might actually be available? Sure, there always should be some interest in a guy who averages 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists for his career while shooting 46.3 percent overall and 38.2 percent from deep. However, the Mavs already have their star backcourt set, and although LaVine could technically be asked to play at the small-forward position, that isn't what he's best at.

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Another factor here is LaVine's contract, as he's owed an average of $44.5 million per year over the next four seasons, including this one. Given that the Mavs are already paying Doncic and Irving a combined $80 million per year for the next three seasons, adding in another big contract wouldn't make much sense unless it was to bring in a 3-and-D starting wing.

The thought of Doncic, Irving and LaVine being in the same offense would be a scary thought for the rest of the league, but Doncic and Irving are already pretty scary already with lower usage guys like Derrick Jones Jr., Grant Williams and others around them. There's just no need for Dallas to risk messing that up.