Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine “would be very amenable to a Sacramento move,” according to a report from The Athletic.
Multiple reports indicated interest in LaVine waned during his ongoing absence with a foot injury, but he ramped up activity this week to include straight-line running without lateral cuts, head coach Billy Donovan said Monday. LaVine hasn’t played since Nov. 28.
His return to health could invite renewed interest in a deal, but there’s still the rather sizable hurdle of LaVine’s contract. He has three years and $138 million remaining in addition to a 15 percent trade kicker. LaVine could opt to waive the trade kicker to facilitate a move.
Following a report in The Athletic detailing LaVine’s interest in a potential trade to the Kings, LaVine’s agent told the outlet the common theory that it’s “the Los Angeles Lakers or bust” is false.
“It’s not one team,” Rich Paul told The Athletic. “I don’t have a specific destination for Zach. I want what’s best for Zach and his family. When you have a guy playing the game, you want him to be able to play the game happy, whether that’s in Chicago or somewhere else.”
In addition to the Kings, the Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks have been linked to LaVine in the rumor mill. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 8.
For now, Donovan is focused on how LaVine can help the Bulls, who are 6-3 since his injury after beating the 76ers on Monday.
“We speak every day. He really misses the game,” Donovan said. “He’s been great on the bench, in the locker room, pulling for those guys. I think that whenever he’s able to get back with us, he’s always been a good team guy. He’s always had good response to his teammates.
“In my conversations, I don’t want to use the word frustrated. I think it’s missing playing. Not taking it for granted, but not playing brings a different perspective.”
LaVine, 28, is averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 18 starts this season, his seventh with Chicago.
–Field Level Media