Zach LaVine Trade Rumors: Pistons Links Are 'Real' amid Bulls' NBA Deadline Talks

The buzz around a potential trade that would send Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls to the Detroit Pistons is "real," but the return wouldn't be huge for Chicago, ESPN's Zach Lowe said Friday on The Lowe Post.

"I think the Detroit, Zach LaVine noise is real, and that if the Pistons do that, Bulls fans need to be prepared for a return that will underwhelm them," Lowe said.

Lowe noted that the Los Angeles Lakers were never "super interested" in LaVine.

LaVine is a two-time All-Star who averaged 24.8 points per game last season, but his trade value is limited by his injury status and his contract.

After missing 17 consecutive games earlier this season, LaVine has now been sidelined for six straight with an ankle injury, while a player option extends his $43 million AAV contract through 2027.

LaVine's scoring is also down this season as he averages 19.5 points and 3.9 assists per game.

After struggling through the first 18 games of the season with 44.3 percent shooting (33.6 percent on threes), LaVine showed flashes of All-Star form during his seven-game return between injuries.

His shooting improved to 48.7 percent (39.0 percent from behind the arc) and he saw two consecutive 25-point performances as the Bulls went 5-2 between Jan. 5 and Jan. 18.

Now LaVine is sidelined once again after his ankle injury caused a flare-up of the foot inflammation that cost him 17 games earlier this season.

LaVine is not expected to play until after the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said Friday.

Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic first reported in November that the Bulls were showing "increased openness" to trading LaVine.

The Athletic's James L. Edwards III added on Jan. 25 that the Bulls and Pistons had discussed a potential LaVine trade.

The Bulls were fixed on a deal that would include Bojan Bogdanović and a young Pistons star like Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, according to Edwards III.

The Pistons might consider the trade "when/if the Bulls' asking price goes down," Edwards III wrote, but have so far shown "no interest" in trading one of the team's young stars.

There is always the chance that LaVine, who successfully bounced back from knee surgery in 2022, could increase his trade value after he returns.

With the 28-year-old sidelined until after the trade deadline, however, the Bulls likely won't have any choice but to accept a lower asking price if they want to move him this season.