With the Lakers reeling this season, an All-Star veteran scorer like Zach LaVine could be just the spark this team needs to turn their struggles around. But even as the Bulls guard remains available in trade discussions, the Lakers are not yet sold that trading for him would be a worthwhile investment.
"Perhaps a strong return to play, with the defensive effort he once showed for Team USA that intrigued NBA evaluators, could add some momentum for a LaVine deal," wrote Lakers insider Corey Hansford. "The struggling Lakers do forecast as the most sensible landing spot for the 28-year-old former All-Star, even though Los Angeles, too, has so far indicated a hesitancy to take on LaVine’s money, sources said.
The Lakers are getting desperate now in the wake of their blowout loss to the Miami Heat but would LaVine really fix their biggest problems? As a young and athletic scorer, Zach brings a lot of skills to the table and the Lakers have shown some interest, but the price of his $180 million contract is just too steep for most teams to pay.
LaVine's Future Uncertain
LaVine, a 2x All-Star, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career but his one-dimensional skillset is growing outdated in the NBA and we're seeing that play out with the Bulls. With Zach, the Bills were struggling to secure wins and looked like one of the worst teams in the East. But since LaVine was taken out of the lineup, the Bulls have looked much better all around thanks to more opportunities for guys like Coby White, Patrick Williams, and Alex Caruso.
With the Lakers, LaVine would probably take no issue with playing behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis but nobody knows how effective he'd be in that role. As an average three-point shooter, at best, LaVine is most effective with the ball in his hands and driving to the basket. For a Lakers team that is centered around LeBron's offensive creativity, they'll need someone who can be flexible with his shots. Right now, that doesn't sound like Zach LaVine and unless something changes, the Lakers are likely to look elsewhere for some help in the backcourt.
Moves Are Coming For The Purple And Gold
With the clock ticking on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers don't have time to be patient with their roster. They need results now, and the pressure is on for them to start winning games again before the hole gets too deep. If not LaVine, we can expect some kind of trade to happen before February's deadline and Rob Pelinka has made it clear he aims to keep this team competitive for as long as possible.
Currently, there aren't any players who look like a good match for the Lakers but they must be feeling some regret over not chasing stars this past summer. With big names like Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard on the market, the Lakers elected to double down on their supporting cast and it's a mistake they are paying for. This season, for better or worse, Pelinka is going to make some changes and send the message that this recent string of play is unacceptable for a team with title aspirations.
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