NBA Rumors: Proposed Blockbuster Trade Sends Zach LaVine to Orlando

The Orlando Magic have been outclassed by the Cleveland Cavaliers thus far in their first round series, and it appears that the Magic have a long way to go to be serious playoff contenders. While their defense is strong, their offense lags far behind.

For the Chicago Bulls, they've been trying to decide what to do with Zach LaVine all season long, and it appears that talk will continue into the offseason. A trade is certainly a very real possibility.

One NBA writer has decided to solve these two confounding situations by mashing them together and coming up with a blockbuster to send LaVine to Central Florida. Zack Buckley of Bleacher Report has put together the following trade proposal:

Orlando Magic Recieve:

Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls Receive:

Markelle Fultz
Moritz Wagner
2024 second-round pick

Fultz is heading into free agency, so his part of the deal would be a sign-and-trade.

This swap gives Orlando a premier offensive weapon to take some pressure and attention off of sophomore sensation Paolo Banchero, who made his first All-Star game this year. For four straight seasons before the current injury-plagued campaign, LaVine averaged in and around 25 points a game, 4.5 assists, and around 38% or better from the three-point line.

The Bulls would rid themselves of LaVine's monster contract, while receiving a young emerging guard in Fultz, a former first-overall pick (2017), who had four solid seasons for the Magic before sliding back this year due largely to injuries. He's still just 25. They also get a very nice bench piece in Mo Wagner, averaging over 10 points a game each of the past two seasons. He has a very team-friendly club-option for $8 million that can be picked up for next season.

As Buckley notes, the Bulls couldn't find a taker for LaVine by the trade deadline in March, but they "will look to trade [him] again this offseason," says K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Orlando just might be his prime destination.

Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports