Trade Proposal Sends Bulls’ Zach LaVine To Warriors

One hypothetical NBA trade proposal from ESPN’s Chris Herring sends Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine to the Golden State Warriors. Let’s take a look:

Warriors receive:

• Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls receive:

• Andrew Wiggins
• Gary Payton II
• Kevon Looney
• Golden State’s 2026 first-round pick

As Herring lays out in his analysis, this is a trade that offers both teams a chance to shake things up. Let’s break down what each team would be getting and how they might benefit:

Warriors

• Zach LaVine (Guard)
  The Warriors are looking for more consistent scoring beyond Stephen Curry, and LaVine provides that in spades. At 29 years old, LaVine is in the midst of a career year, with six straight games of 30 or more points. He’s not just scoring; he’s efficient, ranking near the top of the league in both effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage.
  • Scoring dynamo: His 49.5% shooting on isolation plays makes him a lethal offensive weapon, and that kind of production is music to Golden State’s ears, especially given their reliance on offensive firepower.
  • Fits Steve Kerr’s system: LaVine is also a proven off-ball player, excelling as a catch-and-shoot threat and cutter — two skills that mesh perfectly with Golden State’s motion-heavy offense. 
  • Contention window: While parting with a first-round pick might be a tough decision for the Warriors, their win-now mentality and uncertainty about future assets (especially with Curry getting older) make it a gamble worth considering. A more explosive LaVine could be the difference in a deep playoff run.

Bulls

• Andrew Wiggins (Forward)
• Gary Payton II (Guard)
• Kevon Looney (Center)
• 2026 First-Round Pick (Golden State’s)
  The Bulls’ perspective is rooted in the future, and they need to restock their cupboard after a failed attempt to build around LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. If Chicago is going to pivot to a rebuilding strategy, this trade provides them with both solid role players and valuable draft capital.
  • Wiggins gives them a versatile 2-way wing who can contribute immediately, especially with his scoring and defense.
  • Gary Payton II is a defensive-minded guard who can offer depth and toughness, both essential for the Bulls as they build their next core.
  • Kevon Looney brings a gritty, championship-tested center who can rebound and defend, providing a reliable presence in the frontcourt.
  • First-Round Pick: While LaVine has seen his stock rise significantly this season, Chicago may be hoping for even more assets in a potential deal, especially considering that their roster overhaul seems imminent. The first-round pick represents a building block for the future, and possibly more picks could be on the table.

Bottom Line

This deal could signal a shift for both franchises. For Golden State, the move could bolster their title hopes with another scoring threat. For the Bulls, it opens the door to a new phase of rebuilding with a collection of valuable players and future assets.

Whether or not a trade like this were to happen likely depends on the teams’ willingness to balance short-term gains with long-term potential. But hey, it may a conversation worth having in the coming weeks.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6.

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