The Chicago Bulls have yet to find a trade partner for Zach LaVine. According to Brian Windhorst, who was speaking on the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast, there is a “zero percent” chance that the partner will be the Los Angeles Lakers.
LaVine’s contract is the biggest hurdle the Bulls face. He is in the second yard of a five-year $215M deal, with an average annual salary of $43M.
The new collective bargaining agreement makes it difficult for teams to absorb large contracts while staying under the second tax apron. The punitive nature of that second apron will likely ensure teams only surpass it when they believe they have a contending team. LaVine’s struggles on defense and unappealing fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis will likely be enough to deter Rob Pelinka from absorbing such a significant salary.
Despite his lofty salary, LaVine isn’t going to be walking onto a contending team as their primary scoring option. Nor will he become a primary ball-handler. Instead, he will comprise secondary and tertiary roles. Factor in the inevitable drop in production and his salary quickly becomes an albatross that can limit a franchise’s ability to continue building around their star players. In part, that is why the Bulls are looking to trade LaVine in the first place.
It’s worth noting that LaVine is a client of Klutch Sports, the same agency that represents James and Davis. They also have a good working relationship with the Lakers organization. However, the cost of acquiring LaVine in a trade, paying him while he’s on the roster, and slotting him in as the third star isn’t the move of a team looking to make the NBA Finals this season.
This time last year, Pelinka made a flurry of trade deadline moves. He added talent, defensive versatility and roster depth. Gutting that surplus of talent for LaVine makes little sense, regardless of what agency he’s signed to. The Lakers would be smart to look elsewhere for roster upgrades.
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