Fresh off winning the NBA Cup, the Los Angeles Lakers are still doing their due diligence for their expected pursuit of Chicago Bulls‘ two-time All-Star Zach LaVine.
“The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are expected suitors for LaVine, but both are operating from positions of patience and due diligence,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Monday, December 11.
The Bulls have won four straight games without LaVine, who is out to treat his right foot inflammation. The high-flying wing could miss three to four weeks.
The Lakers are among NBA teams monitoring his health situation. The 10-year veteran has only played more than 70 games in just three seasons and only once over the last seven years. They are also wary of the potential fallout of a LaVine trade, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
“The sense around the league is that the Lakers are wary of boosting their weak half (offense) at the expense of their defense (and their cap sheet) in any potential LaVine deals,” Lowe wrote on December 8.
LaVine is in the second season of a $215 million, five-year max extension he signed with the Bulls last year. The Bulls are having buyer’s remorse following their slow start. The Bulls hitting their strides with LaVine out only bolsters their confidence to part ways with him.
The 28-year-old LaVine is under Klutch Sports, which also represents Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis along with role players Cam Reddish and Jarred Vanderbilt.
LaVine, a 38.2% career 3-point shooter will immediately help the Lakers, who are averaging a league-worst 10.2 3s per game on 26th ranked 34.3% shooting clip. The Lakers’ vision is for LaVine to become their third star behind James and Davis. But his durability and defense are big question marks on top of his enormous contract.
