Los Angeles Lakers Again Linked To Trade For Zach LaVine

The 2024 NBA offseason is going to be an important one for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their first order of business will be figuring out the contract of LeBron James, who could hit free agency if he declines his player option.

There have been plenty of NBA rumors about how those negotiations could unfold, as one insider believes that James could angle for a no-trade clause. Before Los Angeles moves on to anything else this offseason, that deal needs to get done.

While James has admitted the end is near for his NBA career, he is still an integral part of the Lakers’ success. If they don’t retain him, it would be hard to consider Los Angeles as a contender unless other big moves are being planned out.

Always in the market for another star, general manager Rob Pelinka will be on the lookout for a splash acquisition this offseason. The purple and gold have already been linked to Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, but Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes another Eastern Conference All-Star could pique their interest.

Bailey has suggested that the Lakers look into acquiring Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls. This is an NBA rumor that has been in circulation previously, as LaVine was connected to Los Angeles ahead of the trade deadline in February. It was a move James was reportedly in full support of.

Given LaVine’s health issues and exorbitant contract, acquiring him would be significantly cheaper than pursuing someone such as Young. A matching salary that provides the Bulls with some relief sooner than LaVine’s contract could be enough to get a deal done with a pick swap added as a sweetener.

Given the fact that James is nearing the end of his career, the Lakers may be inclined to hold onto some of their future draft capital. They will eventually have to restock and rebuild the roster around Anthony Davis and having some draft picks would help them do that.

Acquiring LaVine now does present the Lakers with an intriguing buy-low opportunity. He has shown that he is capable of carrying an offense on his own; imagine what he could do as the third or fourth option on this team. It would be a risk, but that has to be something that excites some people within the organization.