A three-team trade proposal that would finally get Zach LaVine to the Los Angeles Lakers

The mutual interest between Chicago Bulls wingman Zach LaVine and the Los Angeles Lakers has long been rumored, but a deal has yet to come to fruition. However, with both teams struggling this season and the Lakers looking for additional firepower alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, now may be the perfect time for a trade.

In this three-team trade concocted by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, the Bulls would give up LaVine and Andre Drummond and, in return, would receive D'Angelo Russell, Davis Bertans, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and three draft picks from both the Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Time to start anew

The writing has been splattered on the wall for a while, but the Bulls’ front office has blatantly ignored it. Perhaps this remarkable stat would jar them awake: the Bulls “Big 3” of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic have played together for more than 3,000 minutes. In that span, Chicago is minus-2.8 points per 100 possessions. That is simply not good enough for a team with playoff aspirations.

“When you consider the fact that those three are 28, 34, and 33, respectively, it's hard to deny that it's time for a fresh start. This deal at least turns them in that direction. Separate trades to bring in additional assets or young players for DeRozan and Vucevic would help too,” Bailey wrote.

Zach driving downhill 💨@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/uifTnpCxWW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 19, 2024

What the Bulls will get

With the young core the Bulls have, Russell and Bertrans could be nothing more than salary fillers in this deal, who may be flipped in another transaction with a different team. The real payoff in this imaginary trade lies in the draft picks the Bulls would get.

“Obviously, this deal is mostly about the draft compensation for Chicago. While the Bulls might want a little more for LaVine after seeing the Toronto Raptors get three firsts for Pascal Siakam, this is a pretty decent haul for a 2 with a significant injury history and little to no impact on winning for the past couple years,” Bailey wrote.

There’s just no way you expect me to believe that Zach Lavine has “no trade market” when you’ve got Terry Rozier going for a FRP. https://t.co/F4HM76H0mm
— Ross Pins (@chisportsross) January 23, 2024

Time to start anew

What the Bulls will get

The Chicago Bulls get the point guard they need in the trade proposal for Malcolm Brogdon