Brian Windhorst on rumors involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Zach LaVine

"I think there's a zero percent chance of the Lakers trading for Zach LaVine."

© Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

One popular narrative involving Zach LaVine is that he’ll eventually land in sunny California to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. After all, the shoe fits perfectly, with the Lakers needing another scoring threat alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and LaVine fitting that role seamlessly.

However, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, those rumors are just that. He believes there is a “zero percent chance” of the Lakers trading for LaVine.

No chance

On his Hoop Collective show, Windhorst was joined by fellow ESPN writers Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon as they discussed the trade rumors involving LaVine and the issues plaguing the Los Angeles Lakers. Windhorst asserted his belief that the chances of the former slam dunk champion landing in LA are slim to none.

“I think there’s a zero percent chance of the Lakers trading for Zach LaVine,” Windhorst said.

Talks about LaVine’s imminent departure from the Bulls have been ripe since it was reported that Chicago’s front office was willing to engage in trade talks for the high-scoring guard. However, finding a trade partner has been tricky, although the Lakers often come up as a potential destination for LaVine due to their need for more scoring and playmaking.

But Windhorst believes that the Lakers’ current situation, with Anthony Davis sidelined due to

High price

Bontemps agreed, stating that the Lakers would likely have to give up a significant amount of assets to acquire LaVine, and it simply wouldn’t be worth it. After all, Chicago will probably not take pennies on the dollar for their star player, who has made a robust reputation for getting buckets—a dire need for the Lakers this season.

“Zach LaVine, at least, is a great three-point shooter, but like again, if they trade all this stuff for Zach LaVine, I don't think that's solving their problems either,” Bontemps said.

Donovan Mitchell vs Zach LaVine.

It’s been his off ball defense thats an issue for LaVine, not his on ball defense.

If I’m Billy, I’m saying fuck it & putting LaVine on opponents best player and just see what happens. What do the Bulls have to lose? If he excels=Trade value ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/oDcMQTv28v

— Hoop Informatics (@HoopInformatics) January 16, 2024

NBA insider says nothing has changed between the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine