Zach LaVine Trade Rumors: Bulls Star Would Be 'Very Amenable' to Kings Deal

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine would reportedly be "very amenable" to a trade sending him to the Sacramento Kings.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported LaVine would be open to a backcourt pairing with De'Aaron Fox, with whom he shares an agency (Klutch Sports). The Bulls have been exploring the trade market for LaVine, who is currently out of the lineup with a right foot injury.

The Bulls are a disappointing 10-17 and are more likely to begin a rebuild than attempt to improve their middling, veteran-laden roster. LaVine is in the second season of a five-year, $215 million contract and is making $40.1 million in 2023-24. He was averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game before being injured.

The Bulls may have an issue getting star-caliber return for LaVine given his salary and penchant for not being a particularly strong defender. In an era where 47 players are currently averaging 20 points per game, LaVine's scoring prowess becomes less impressive.

Chicago's market will be teams like the Lakers, who have little in terms of tangible assets to offer, and a franchise like the Kings that does not typically attract starry names in free agency. Sacramento is off to a 15-9 start to the regular season and looks like a playoff team for the second straight year, but the team's ceiling appears limited without another star next to Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

Second-year forward Keegan Murray would be an intriguing young name to add to the mix, but it'd be fair if the Kings were cautious in shopping him. The last time they jettisoned a promising young prospect in a win-now move, it was Tyrese Haliburton, who has become one of the NBA's premier point guards.

While Sacramento landed Sabonis as part of that deal, there was a clear winner in terms of value.

LaVine is a volume scorer who turns 29 in March. If he's not the difference between title contention and an early playoff exit, caution might be the smartest move.