Several NBA offseason reports suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers were looking to acquire another star player to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With multiple first-round draft picks at their disposal, the Lakers appeared to be in a strong position to make a significant trade.
However, no deals were finalized this summer, and the Lakers will start the new season with a roster similar to last year’s. That team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, winning only one game in the series.
LeBron James is entering his 22nd NBA season, and despite his long career, he remains an elite player. Last season, he averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds, maintaining his status as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Given James’s continued high-level performance, the Lakers are likely to remain involved in trade discussions for players who can help them win immediately. A recent trade proposal by Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report suggests that the Lakers could acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls.
In this proposed deal, the Lakers would receive Zach LaVine and Antonio Reeves. Meanwhile, the Bulls, who are in the midst of a rebuild, would get Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two first-round picks. The New Orleans Pelicans, also involved in the trade, would receive Rui Hachimura, Chris Duarte, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, and one first-round pick.
LaVine, currently signed to a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls that runs through 2027, has been named to two All-Star teams. He has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
Originally drafted 13th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014, LaVine would return to Los Angeles, where he played college basketball at UCLA, if this trade were to go through.
