Report: Bulls finding there’s no trade market for Zach LaVine

December 2, 2023

By now you likely know the Chicago Bulls are open to trading Zach LaVine and that Lavine is open to a trade. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where you can’t help but think both sides desperately want to move on.

But per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, there’s one big problem — opposing interest in LaVine has been sparse.

That’s a somewhat surprising development, given that LaVine is a team player and LaVine is averaging 21.0 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Still, Woj said the Bulls are finding no takers, mentioning LaVine’s contract and the fact he’s out with a foot injury.

“There is not a market for Zach LaVine right now in the NBA,” Wojnarowski on NBA Today, via RealGM. “That’s not because Chicago has not tried to find it and aren’t currently trying to find it.

“It’s a combination of a few reasons. LaVine’s contract at four more years at around a $45 million or $46 million a year average. But his productivity. I think this is a player right now who is out right now with a foot injury. He’s been in and out of the lineup. I think the question for teams is how much does Zach LaVine impact winning. Especially at that salary and with a new salary cap where you’re asking for yourself ‘Are you trading for him to be our best player? No. Our second best player? No. If he’s our third best player, do we want to pay that kind of money?'”

LaVine has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and a few others, but that may be more rumor than truth for now.

“For the Bulls, they want to get some value in a trade,” Wojnarowski said. “Right now, for both LaVine and the Bulls to get a trade, he needs to start playing well. He needs to start playing well and impacting winning. That certainly is what teams are going want to see as they look at the value of trying to do a trade for him.”

All of that said, it may be easier for the Bulls to find a LaVine deal later this month, when players who signed offseason deals are eligible to be traded (Dec. 15).

"There is not a market for Zach LaVine right now."@wojespn with the latest on LaVine and the Bulls 👀 pic.twitter.com/r4stqcKkor

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 1, 2023