Zach LaVine, a star player for the Chicago Bulls, is reportedly unhappy, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the front-runners to sign him, but some of his teammates might be better suited in Los Angeles.
Respect to LaVine notwithstanding, in his first nine complete seasons, the 28-year-old (29 in March) has only made it to the postseason once (another miss is imminent if he stays in Chicago after the trade deadline). Although his explosiveness as a scorer makes him a desirable addition, his lack of winning experience on his résumé raises the question of meaningless statistics.
Success is certainly possible if the Lakers manage to acquire the former all-star. But we saw firsthand the benefits associated with dousing players with
Success is certainly possible if the Lakers manage to acquire the former all-star. But we saw firsthand in 2020 how effective it was to surround LeBron and AD with players who fit particular roles (like shooting and defense). The organization’s most recent demise occurred when they abandoned that strategy, and ever since then, the front office has been working nonstop to bring its previous mistakes back to life.
The Lakers organization would be wise to stick with what has worked and steer clear of what hasn’t when the trade winds come in and the phones start ringing. Rob Pelinka should give priority to any calls from Bulls general manager, even though he will undoubtedly speak with other general managers throughout the league but should give Bulls General Manager Marc Eversley’s calls top priority. He should be actively pursuing one trade package in particular after gaining some time to negotiate.
It is no secret that the Bulls are heading toward an unavoidable rebuild and that the Lakers want Caruso back. Caruso turns 30 in February, and the Bulls aren’t even close to contending, so it stands to reason that the All-NBA defender will be moving soon.
He should be, but that does not guarantee he will be. Reports that the Bulls want to keep him on the team have been leaked, but that may just be an old-fashioned leverage tactic. Caruso ought to bring in at least a first-round pick, and the team does have some of those to work with in trade negotiations, despite popular belief.
If the calculations were symmetrical, Hachimura’s place along with the 2029
Maybe a first-rounder would be sufficient to send AC home. But in that case, the salary cap numbers don’t add up, so some more pieces need to be added to the pie.
It might be a good idea for Chicago to add Patrick Williams. This summer, Williams will become a restricted free agent, and the league is showing some interest in the young forward. The consistent swingman has alternated between starting and reserving, which is a glaring sign of Billy Donovan’s mistrust of his rise to prominence.
Drawbacks notwithstanding, he can guard positions 1-4 (and possibly even a little 5) and has made over 40% of his 3-pointers since joining the NBA in 2020. When the ripe
Williams, who is 22 years old, still has a ton of time and potential left in him. With the Lakers this season, we have witnessed the positive effects of a change of scenery for Cam Reddish.
The Lakers would then have to come up with another salary filler in order to compete with Williams. Jalen Hood-Schifino, the 17th overall pick of the previous season, would fill that spot, and if the Lakers are serious about getting Caruso back, the Bulls might insist on his inclusion.
It would be better for Jalen Hood-Schifino to join Chicago’s rebuilding team, as he is unlikely to see much playing time this season. The Bulls will be searching for their future point guard as Lonzo Ball’s career is in jeopardy.
Although Hachimura would undoubtedly be missed by the Lakers, the soon-to-be 26-year-old could play a key role during the Bulls’ fictitious transitional phase. In addition, Pat Williams would join a formidable group of wings that would help offset Rui’s departure: LeBron, Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Max Christie. Los Angeles would be gaining a player hoping to earn a big contract this summer and losing a player who was just awarded a big contract last summer. Williams ought to be highly driven to establish his value and help the team win a championship.
Rekindling the relationship between Alex Caruso and the team that issued him his first NBA call-up would be the true prize here. He has really developed into one of the game’s most underappreciated players right now, and he is someone who is a reliable source of intelligence on both sides. Caruso might be just what this team needs to get over the hump, especially after a few years of playing next to James and Davis with very clear chemistry.
