Zach LaVine Trade Rumors: Nuggets Have Put 'Significant' Focus on Bulls Star

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly eyeing some offensive help ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Tony Jones and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Tuesday that Denver has discussed potential moves for Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, Jordan Poole and Jonas Valančiūnas of the Washington Wizards, Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz, De'Andre Hunter of the Atlanta Hawks, and Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets.

They noted the "focus on LaVine in recent discussions is significant" since the Nuggets are particularly looking for "a player who can offer significant help offensively."

Such a trade will come at a cost, though, as Jones and Amick also reported Michael Porter Jr. would likely be included in any "big" move. They also listed Zeke Nnaji and a pick swap as assets that could be moved.

Ultimately, Denver is looking for someone who can create his own shot with the ball in his hands, which is something it can only count on from Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray with the way the roster is currently constructed.

That is one reason why the Nuggets are in fifth place in the Western Conference even though Jokić is playing at a dominant and MVP level while averaging a near triple-double of 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 55.8 percent from the field and 48.9 percent from deep.

He is playing a career-high 37.2 minutes per night and also attempting a career-high 21.1 shots per game.

Denver needs Jokić fresh and at his best come playoff time if it is going to compete for a championship in the loaded Western Conference, and adding someone who can take the offensive burden off his shoulders would help accomplish just that.

LaVine is far from a perfect player and comes with question marks on defense, but he is also a two-time All-Star who can take over stretches of games with his offensive ability.

He is averaging 21.1 points a night while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 42.8 percent from deep. That type of efficiency would work well paired with Jokić, as he could take advantage of the openings created by the double teams the big man consistently draws by either spotting up or cutting to the rim.

LaVine can also draw some of the defense away from the MVP candidate with his own ball-handling abilities, which may be exactly what the Nuggets need to capitalize on this win-now window with such a generational player anchoring their lineup.