Lakers News: Young LA Star Likely To Be Excluded In A Zach LaVine Trade

Your Los Angeles Lakers' 2023-24 NBA season hasn't started out quite the way that they would have hoped, and it seems that the team may be looking to make some moves to upgrade. While we are only a month into the season, LA doesn't have time to waste this year.

They are reportedly interested in acquiring guard Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls, and now it seems that the Bulls are more open than ever to move on from their star. Landing LaVine would give the Lakers a third star to pair alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis while helping improve the offense of the team.

But in any potential deal for LaVine, the Lakers aren't interested in including guard Austin Reaves. LA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic has the report.

"The Lakers aren’t interested in including Reaves in a potential LaVine deal despite his recent move to the bench, according to multiple team sources."

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic

Chicago may insist on the young guard, otherwise, they may not be interested in dealing with the Lakers. But LA may be able to figure out a different route to getting LaVine.

Many around the league don't believe that the Bulls will get much for their star, in part due to his injury history and contract. So, the Lakers could leverage that, while still offering a solid deal, likely centering around point guard D'Angelo Russell.

“The most likely framework of a LaVine deal would center around Russell, who waived his implied no-trade clause over the offseason. It’d also need to feature Hachimura or Vincent as additional matching salary, another player and either the team’s 2029 or 2030 first-round pick – potentially with protections..”

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic

The Lakers should absolutely start discussions to land LaVine, and if Chicago won't move him without Reaves, then at least they tried. They also have interest in forward DeMar DeRozan and guard Alex Caruso from the Bulls, two players that could fit in just as well with the team moving forward.

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