Trade Proposal Sends Bulls’ Zach LaVine To Magic

One NBA analyst proposed that the Orlando Magic acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls this offseason. 

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Magic and Bulls:

Chicago Bulls Receive: Cole Anthony, Jett Howard, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 second-round pick (second most favorable from Detroit, Milwaukee or Orlando)

Orlando Magic Receive: Zach LaVine

The Bulls will attempt to trade LaVine this offseason after failing to find a taker for him at the trade deadline.

Chicago has won just one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017. 

LaVine played in only 25 games this season. He underwent season-ending right foot surgery in February.

A two-time All-Star, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 2023-24 while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line.

LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He’ll make $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26.

A UCLA product, LaVine has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Timberwolves and Bulls.

“LaVine’s shooting and off-the-dribble creation are perfect for a half-court offense lacking both,” Favale wrote. “He doesn’t check the floor-general box, but the Magic will have the flexibility and assets necessary to continue the playmaker hunt. The 29-year-old’s price point is also slightly less prohibitive when he’ll be in the final year of his contract by the time Paolo Banchero‘s inevitable max extension kicks into effect.”

The Magic lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of this year’s playoffs in seven games. 

Meanwhile, the Bulls missed the playoffs for the second straight year. 

“Saving the Bulls a boatload of money is part of this package’s appeal, but the framework can assume different permutations depending on Orlando’s side quests,” Favale wrote. “This structure eats up most of the Magic’s cap space while accounting for the returns of Gary Harris and Mo Wagner (team option). They can manipulate the outbound salary if they want to operate over the cap by including some combination of Isaac, Wagner and Joe Ingles (team option).”

According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, LaVine and the Bulls are “motivated” to part ways this offseason.

It will be fascinating to see if Chicago finds a new home for LaVine.