Lakers Rumors: Bulls' Zach LaVine Has Drawn 'Some Thought' from LA as Trade Target

Having already added Rui Hachimura to improve their depth, the Los Angeles Lakers may have their sights set on a marquee name to boost their playoff chances ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

On The Lowe Post podcast (starts at 38:30 mark), ESPN's Zach Lowe said "people around the Lakers" have given "some thought" to pursuing a deal for Zach LaVine.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne added the Lakers would "be among several teams" in pursuit of LaVine if the Bulls were to make him available.

There's been no indication that LaVine will be moved by the Bulls before the trade deadline, though there are some signs of friction between the two-time All-Star and the organization.

The Athletic's Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported last month there has "been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect" with LaVine as Chicago's No. 1 player.

Since starting last season 39-21, the Bulls have lost 41 of their last 70 regular-season games. There has been no indication that Lonzo Ball is even close to returning after suffering a small meniscus tear in his knee in January 2022.

Ball was initially expected to miss six-to-eight weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery, but he wound up missing the rest of the 2021-22 season. He had a second procedure done in September that provided some hope he would be able to play this season.

This is the first season of LaVine's five-year, $215.2 million max contract that he signed in July. The 27-year-old's stats are fine with 23.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game with a 45.8 field-goal percentage, but his performance isn't having a positive impact on winning.

The Lakers' trade for Hachimura does complicate their cap situation for next season. He's eligible for restricted free agency this summer and has an $18.8 million cap hold.

If the Lakers sign Hachimura to an extension, it will replace the cap hold. They could also potentially renounce his rights to clear cap space to fit in a player making a large salary in 2023-24.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of re-signing him in the offseason.

There's also the ongoing issue of depth for the Lakers that would likely be more pronounced next season if they tried to bring in a player like LaVine with a $40.1 million salary.

A trio of LaVine, Anthony Davis and LeBron James is a good starting position for the Lakers, but you can't bank on those three being able to carry a group of low-level rotation players. Davis has been susceptible for injuries over the past three seasons.

The Lakers are currently 13th in the Western Conference standings with a 23-26 record. The Bulls are tied with the Washington Wizards for the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference with identical 22-26 records.