One of the most well-known players on the trade block, Zach LaVine, is probably going to be dealt before the deadline of February 8. The guard/forward is back on the court, but his injury in November caused the market to dry up.
For a while, there were rumors that the Chicago Bulls were about to blow up, and LaVine might be the first domino to fall. Interest in the two-time All-Star is already growing within the league. But according to reports, some teams have ended negotiations, and at first, everything seemed to be pointing toward LaVine joining the Los Angeles Lakers. However, a few dark horses.
The Lakers are the top team that is most frequently associated with LaVine. Malika Andrews of ESPN, however, claims that there is “no momentum” for Los Angeles to sign him. Additionally, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the team would rather maintain their depth than make a significant acquisition. The star’s exorbitant cost is another consideration.
It doesn’t matter if a deal isn’t close to being reached between the two parties. The Lakers must alter because they have suffered greatly since the In-Season Tournament. They are in dire need of a different scoring option, particularly in light of D’Angelo Russell’s slump and benching.
Even though the Lakers don’t seem to be interested in LaVine, anything can happen at the NBA trade deadline, as far as we can tell. A deal might still work, but Los Angeles seems intent on holding onto the majority of its rotation players. Russell would probably be the main focus, with salary fillers making up the remainder of the package. Picks, Max Christie, Rui Hachimura, and Cam Reddish appear to be the most likely negotiating chips.
The likelihood of a deal ultimately depends on how desperate these teams are.
The Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly a dark horse contender for LaVine, according to a recent report by Sam Amico of Hoops Wire. After a deeply disappointing season, the Warriors have faced a number of major challenges and are currently ranked 12th in the Western Conference. Their year has been defined thus far by injuries, suspensions, and disgruntled players.
Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and Andrew Wiggins are the players most likely to be traded. This season, Wiggins has played like a shadow of his former self, averaging career lows in steals, three-point percentage, assists, and points. Consequently, the team is willing to move him. Although Kuminga is showing signs of promise, it is not encouraging to learn that he “lost faith” in head coach Steve Kerr. Although he has played more since then, he is a talented young player who could be utilized to help acquire a player of LaVine’s caliber. Similar feelings were expressed by Moody, who is apparently dissatisfied with his inconsistent role. Although he is no longer in the team’s rotation, he could play a bigger part on the
