Bulls Finding Zero Trade Market For Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic

July 14, 2024

The Chicago Bulls and guard Zach LaVine would both like LaVine to be playing elsewhere next season. But good luck with that.

Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are finding there is almost no trade market for LaVine or center Nikola Vucevic. Apparently, Chicago wants to trade at least one with, again, LaVine at the top of their list.

Sadly, he seems to be at the top of no one else’s list.

A source told Hoops Wire that LaVine would like to get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. LaVine, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group).

But the Lakers are not expected to pursue a LaVine trade, sources said. Perhaps because his trade value is essentially non-existent. He’s coming off surgery and has three years and $138 million left on his contract.

“What (head of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas) and the rest of the Bulls’ front office have on their side is time. Not a lot but enough,” Cowley wrote. “The growing concerns, however, are that possible destinations for LaVine seemingly have dried up and that there is still no market for Vucevic at age 33 and $41 million-plus guaranteed over the next two seasons.”

LaVine played in only 25 games in 2023-24. He underwent season-ending right foot surgery in February.

A two-time All-Star, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line.

Vucevic will make $20 million in 2024-25. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.8 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 48.4% from the field, 29.4% from beyond the arc and 82.2% from the free-throw line. He had 45 double-doubles in 76 games.