Trade Proposal Sends Bulls’ Zach LaVine To Hornets

One NBA analyst proposed that the Charlotte Hornets trade for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following mock trade between the Hornets and Bulls:

Trade idea: The Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine to the Charlotte Hornets for Grant Williams, Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić and a 2027 second-round pick (via POR or NOP)

The Bulls and Hornets missed the playoffs in 2024. 

LaVine and the Bulls want to part ways, but Chicago hasn’t found a taker for the guard due to his injury history and contract. 

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.

LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022.

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 Minnesota Timberwolves and Bulls. He has a 216-364 record. 

According to NBA reporter Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the relationship between LaVine and the Bulls is “filled with mistrust.”

“An NBA insider told the Sun-Times on Tuesday that the relationship between LaVine and the team’s top brass is completely shattered and ‘filled with mistrust.’ LaVine and his representation at Klutch Sports feel like they were misled on possible trade destinations, and the Bulls thought LaVine ‘opting’ for season-ending right foot surgery when rehab on the injury was still on the table was a counterpunch thrown below the belt,” Cowley reported. 

The Bulls acquired LaVine from the Timberwolves in 2017. They have made the postseason once in the LaVine era. 

The Hornets would have a “Big 4” of LaVine, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller if Charlotte’s front office acquired LaVine from Chicago.