Lakers Should Pounce on Bargain Trade for Bulls' Zach LaVine amid Latest NBA Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers have reeled off five wins in their last six trips to the NBA hardwood on the strength of their defense.

Offense, though, remains an issue, particularly when it comes to the production of players not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis. That's perhaps why the Lakers have "real" interest in net-shredder Zach LaVine, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, who included the caveat of L.A. only having interest "at the right price."

The latest rumblings out of the Windy City, then, should have the full attention of the Lakers front office.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Bulls front office "was less than thrilled" with LaVine "pulling his arm away in anger" when approached for a postgame interview with the Bulls' flagship TV station following Saturday night's come-from-behind win over the Miami Heat. Head coach Billy Donovan "was downright ticked off," per Cowley.

If the Bulls are getting frustrated with LaVine, the Lakers should keep a close eye on the proceedings. Acquiring the two-time All-Star at less than full price could be the kind of move that transforms L.A.'s season from solid to spectacular.

LaVine's Trade Value Can't Be Overwhelming to Begin with

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CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 18: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

LaVine might have the name recognition and numbers of a top-shelf talent, but the trade market won't view him as such.

If the 28-year-old's previous knee troubles weren't ominous enough, there's also the fact he's owed a colossal amount of cash for the foreseeable future. He'll make $40.1 million this season, per Spotrac, then $89 million over the following two campaigns. If he picks up his player option in 2026-27—his age-31 season—he'll have another $49 million heading his way.

Those financial figures could scare off a lot of would-be suitors. While LaVine doesn't shoulder all of the blame for this, the fact remains he's made just a single playoff trip to this point of his career, and that run was extinguished in the opening round.

Teams were never going to fork over a mountain of assets for him, but this latest development suggests his actual trade cost could wind up being even smaller than expected.

The Lakers Need Support Scoring

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Davis #3, Austin Reaves #15 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a portrait during 2023-24 NBA Media day at UCLA Health Training Center on October 02, 2023 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

While the Lakers have found some success of late—thanks in no small part to a softening schedule—they aren't exactly overwhelming the opposition on the offensive end.

L.A. checks in at just 23rd in offensive efficiency on the season, per NBA.com. Even if you narrow the focus to only this six-game stretch, that only bumps the Lakers up to 15th.

Austin Reaves hasn't made the leap this club was hoping (and needing) to see. Taurean Prince has been ice cold (28.3 percent from distance). Christian Wood has barely made a dent in the scoring column (6.5 points per game). Gabe Vincent laid an alarming number of bricks before a knee injury forced him off the floor (39.3/7.1/50 shooting slash).

The Lakers have been entirely too reliant on James, who's in his 21st season and turns 39 years old next month. When he needs a breather, this group's offensive rating has plunged by a massive 18.1 points per 100 possessions.

LaVine Could Thrive as a Third Option

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CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls stands on the court during the In-Season Tournament game against the Orlando Magic on November 17, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

LaVine is a superbly gifted offensive player.

He is one of only five players to average at least 24 points, four assists and 2.5 three-pointers in each of the past four seasons, per StatHead Basketball. If the exclusivity alone didn't impress you, here's the statistical company he's keeping in that club: Luka Dončić, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Kyrie Irving.

So, we're talking about a tremendous talent, but LaVine just needs a different role to let that talent shine in a winning environment. Get him to L.A. and let him operate as a play-finisher while James and Davis continue to drive the offense, and the perceptions of LaVine's impact could change in an instant. His efficiency could ramp up with catch-and-shoot chances and timely off-ball cuts, and he could keep things humming when the other stars sit.

He's been miscast as a first option—or as a primary creator in his 1A-1B setup with DeMar DeRozan in Chicago—which is part of the reason LaVine's contract feels so rich. But if L.A. could stomach the financial hit, it could great exceptional value out of him as a third option, especially if he doesn't cost much beyond, say, matching salaries and a future first-round pick. That's not nothing, but it's also not an exorbitant price if it helps James and the Lakers contend for the crown.