NBA Rumors: Zach LaVine Trade Market 'So Rough' Bulls May Need to Add Due to Contract

Despite his status as a two-time All-Star, there reportedly isn't much interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine on the trade market currently.

According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, sources have said that LaVine's trade value is "so rough" that the Bulls may need to add other assets to a trade package in order to get a team to take on his contract.

LaVine signed a five-year, $215.16 million deal with the Bulls in 2022, meaning he is under contract through at least 2025-26 with a player option for 2026-27.

For much of this season, LaVine has been the subject of heavy trade rumors, especially after Chicago struggled to a 5-14 start.

The Bulls have been much improved since then, improving their seasonal record to 18-22, but LaVine's name remains at the forefront of the trade rumor mill.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported this week that the Bulls and Atlanta Hawks had "exploratory" talks regarding a trade involving LaVine and guard Dejounte Murray, but the "talks never gained much traction."

It was also reported by HoopsHype's Michael Scotto (h/t Stephen Beslic of FanNation's Bulls News) that the Bulls have spoken with the Sacramento Kings about a LaVine trade for Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes.

The Los Angeles Lakers have long been speculated as a possible landing spot for LaVine because he attended UCLA and because L.A. could potentially benefit from a third star to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

However, Woike reported that LaVine "isn't usually a name that comes up when talking to people about the Lakers' interest because of his contract and injury history."

The 28-year-old LaVine has spent the past seven seasons in Chicago after playing his first three NBA seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he has blossomed into one of the NBA's better offensive players.

LaVine was named an All-Star in back-to-back seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22, as he averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game in 2020-21 and 24.4 points per game the following season.

The 2023-24 campaign has been a bit of a struggle for LaVine, as he is averaging just 20.5 points per contest, which is his worst scoring output since his first season in Chicago in 2017-18.

He is also shooting just 45.2 percent from the field, which is his worst since 2019-20, and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, which is his worst mark since 2017-18.

Injuries have also been an issue for LaVine this season, as he missed over a month before returning to action in January, and has missed 18 games in total.

When LaVine is at his best, he can be an elite scorer, but it is understandable why teams may be concerned about paying him over $40 million per year for at least the next three seasons given his diminished play this season and his durability issues.