Lakers, 76ers considered likely trade suitors for Bulls’ Zach LaVine

Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers have an interest in available Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. And yes, it appears the Philadelphia 76ers do, too.

But both are approaching any ideas of a trade for LaVine with patience and “due diligence,” per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

LaVine reportedly has been available since about the second or third week of the season, as the Bulls have looked perhaps better without him (he’s currently sidelined with a foot injury) than they have with him. Some are viewing that as a coincidence, but there may be reasons behind that, too.

Namely, that both the Bulls and LaVine are ready to move on.

The Lakers, of course, are a natural suitor as they look for a third reliable scorer behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LaVine shares agent Rich Paul with those two LA stars as well. 

There are major doubts that the Lakers can truly contend for a championship and get past the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns or several others as currently constructed. A player such as LaVine could make that quest a little more realistic.

Meanwhile, the 76ers look the same as always even after the trade of high-scoring guard James Harden to the Clippers. That is to say, Philadelphia is still really good. But good enough to win a championship behind reigning MVP Joel Embiid?

That too is being questioned by many, even with the rise of guard Tyrese Maxey to All-Star-level status. But the question for a team such as the Sixers would be whether LaVine would be a fit — and as always, what they would have to give up to Chicago.

One thing we do know is that LaVine and small forward DeMar DeRozan will hear their names mentioned repeatedly before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. And unlike a lot of rumors, the ones involving the Bulls have plenty of truth behind them.