NBA Insider Thinks Warriors Should Trade For Bulls’ Zach LaVine: ‘I Think He Puts Them In A Different Atmosphere’

NBA insider Marc J. Spears of Andscape thinks the Golden State Warriors should trade for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. 

LaVine and the Bulls have been looking to part ways for over a year. 

.@MarcJSpears on a possible off-season target for the Warriors:

“I think it’s worth taking a chance on Zach LaVine…if you’re going to take a risk on Zach LaVine I think they have the roster to do it with….If he can be healthy, I think he puts the Warriors in a different… pic.twitter.com/ReES3X9UGV

— KNBR (@KNBR) August 20, 2024

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

A two-time All-Star and a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, 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 during unrestricted free agency. The veteran guard will make $43 million next season. 

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. 

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors believe they remain “well-positioned” for a trade upgrade.

Golden State tried to acquire Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers and Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz this offseason. 

The Warriors, who missed the playoffs last season, lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks and signed Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton in free agency. 

“Golden State is plotting its next moves in the wake of unsuccessful trade pursuits of Paul George and Lauri Markkanen in the offseason,” Stein wrote. “Team officials believe they remain well-positioned for a trade upgrade at some point in the next year or so after responding to the free agent departure of Curry’s longtime backcourt mate Klay Thompson by acquiring Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton on short-term deals and retaining all of their draft picks. The distinct sense at Chase Center is that the Clippers and Jazz, despite no shortage of conversation with both teams, did not really want to do business with the Warriors.”