Raptors a 'Team to Watch' in Zach LaVine Trade Talks, per Report

The Toronto Raptors are reportedly a team to watch in trade talks with the Chicago Bulls for Zach LaVine

Here we go again.

The Toronto Raptors are once again considered among the teams to watch in Zach LaVine trade talks with the Chicago Bulls, Shams Charania told The Rally.

“The Raptors are expected to have some interest in Zach LaVine,” Charania said. “Masai Ujiri is always aggressive in his approach and it would be interesting team with Zach LaVine if you’re able to keep guys like Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and OG Anunoby.”

A deal for LaVine without any of Toronto’s three core players would have to involve Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, and Thad Young in order to remain under the luxury tax threshold. The Raptors could then add in as many as two first-round picks in 2028 and 2030 and as many as three second-round picks, or any combination of those picks and swaps including a 2029 first-round pick.

LaVine has reportedly expressed interest in being dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers, or the San Antonio Spurs, per Yahoo’s Jake Fischer. 

The 29-year-old two-time All-Sar is averaging 22.6 points, three assists, and five rebounds per game while shooting 42.4% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. He is currently in the second year of a five-year, $215 million contract with a player option in Year 5.

A deal is not expected to occur until December 15 at the earliest when most players who signed free-agent contracts this past offseason are eligible to be traded. For Toronto, Dennis Schröder, Jakob Poeltl, and Jalen McDaniels cannot be traded until December 15.

The actual trade deadline isn’t until February 8.