NBA Rumors: Zach LaVine Trade Talks Persist; 2 Potential Destinations

According to a report, "multiple rival executives" are constantly questioning the future of Zach LaVine in the Windy City, and there have already been trade talks between the Chicago Bulls and two teams that are currently looking to unload their own superstars: the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Zach LaVine’s name has landed in preliminary trade conversations with both the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, per @KCJHoop pic.twitter.com/1ovl7UkJpB

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 7, 2023

The Sixers are looking for somewhere to ship James Harden, who picked up his $35M option and requested a trade. The Beard wants to go to the Los Angeles Clippers, but Philly head honcho Daryl Morey, as we've seen in the past, can wait out his star players until he gets what he feels is a reasonable return. 

In Portland, Damian Lillard is trying to force his way to the Miami Heat, and it appears that multiple teams and players will have to be involved to bring that one to fruition. There's already bad blood building between Dame and the Blazers.  

KC Johnson of NBC Sports reports that "preliminary" discussions have taken place with both teams, but that "the Bulls’ asking price in any conversation about LaVine has consistently been extremely high."

Something has been brewing for some time, however, around LaVine's long-term fit with the Bulls. A report last December said that player and team weren’t seeing eye-to-eye and that there’s a “palpable feeling of a disconnect over LaVine’s situation in Chicago.”

The two-time All-Star is heading into just the second season of a 5 year / $215M contract. He averaged 24.2 points this past season, with 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists. 

This will certainly be a situation to watch as the summer unfolds. 

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports