Bulls would want Austin Reaves in any Zach LaVine trade with Lakers

As I wrote a few weeks back when the Zach LaVine rumors started to surface, the Chicago Bulls would want guard Austin Reaves in any trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

That was again mentioned by Shams Charania of The Athletic during his regular segment on FanDuel TV.

Charania said the Lakers are likely to have interest in LaVine at some point — though likely not until some of their offseason signees become trade-eligible in the middle of December. And the Bulls are obviously more than open to trading LaVine.

But it won’t come cheaply.

“The Bulls, I’m sure, would covet Austin Reaves in any potential Zach LaVine trade,” Charania said.

Chicago would also likely want forward Rui Hachimura in such a deal, one source told Hoops Wire. For now, the source added, it’s all speculation as the sides have not even spoken.

That said, the Bulls have spoken to multiple teams on LaVine and are clearly hopeful of moving him before the February deadline. But any trade can be complicated, which is why some are projecting a deal may not happen until January at the earliest — if one were to happen at all.

"I expect them to express interest in Zach LaVine."
– @ShamsCharania

Do the Lakers need a 3rd star??

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— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) November 28, 2023