The Los Angeles Lakers are the epitome of the “anything goes or nothing” mentality. The franchise has a history of seeking out the biggest names on the open market, with franchise legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal all having previously played elsewhere.
That reality has inevitably given rise to the annual process of Los Angeles being linked to big names in the offseason — and 2024 was no different.
One of the biggest names the Lakers have been linked to is Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. The two-time All-Star has been included in countless speculations, largely due to Chicago’s decision to sign and trade DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings.
With DeRozan out of the equation, the Bulls must now decide whether LaVine will become the franchise player or if his seven-year tenure with the team has come to an end.
If Chicago pursues a trade, the Lakers will likely be mentioned as a potential destination. LaVine has ties to Southern California, having played his lone college season at UCLA, as well as the skills to fit in alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
In a recent business proposal from Grant Hughes of Bleacher ReportThe logistics of a possible LaVine trade to Los Angeles were assured — and the cost would be high.
While the Lakers are often linked to players for no good reason, LaVine is an exception to that rule. Rumors have surfaced that Los Angeles could be a player in the LaVine sweepstakes, though a lot has changed in the meantime.
In November 2023, Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic It has been reported that the Lakers are one of the teams reportedly interested in trading for LaVine.
“NBA teams are exploring the availability of two-time All-Star point guard Zach LaVine, and the Chicago Bulls and LaVine are increasingly open to the idea of a trade, league sources said… The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to have some interest, league sources said.”
It has been nine months since Charania and Mayberry’s report was published, which calls into question the validity of the sustained interest.
No matter how determined the Lakers are to acquire LaVine, the speculation will likely continue. LaVine is one of the most productive guards in the NBA, and the Lakers need a high-level scorer to take some pressure off 39-year-old LeBron James.
The question is: what would the cost of acquiring LaVine be, and what would be the long-term benefit of the deal?
