NBA trade rumors: Zach LaVine to Lakers Is A Done Deal

By December, rumours about NBA transactions spread nearly as quickly as rumours about Santa Claus. But unlike Santa, the trade discussion usually has very little real coming from it. Regarding the NBA trade front, very nothing is new. Here are a few of the most recent conversations.

The rumours about Zach LaVine joining the Lakers (or 76ers, Heat)

Though it really shouldn’t, the Zach LaVine to Lakers debate is kept going by Klutch Sports, which represents both LaVine and LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as well as the aspirations and goals of Bulls supporters. NBC Sports spoke with sources who described this move as implausible at best, despite the Lakers’ post-In-Season Tournament struggles. Having saying that, FanDuel TV’s Run It

In Chicago, the issue of the moment is: How low are the Bulls willing to go in order to acquire LaVine? LaVine is ready to move on, and the Bulls are as well. Chicago has lost 6-3 without LaVine. But that doesn’t increase LaVine’s trade worth. The disparate viewpoints on this transaction are aptly summarised in an online discussion between Lakers writer Jovan Buha and Bulls beat writer Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

Mayberry: It appears that these teams will finally come to an agreement on a plan that benefits both parties. Jovan, a lot of people admire Austin Reaves in Chicago. How much is LaVine worth to the Lakers?

Buha:According to what I hear, the Lakers, as previously reported, still like (DeMar) DeRozan and/or (Alex) Caruso because of their contracts. In particular, I believe the Lakers would entertain a D’Angelo Russell-centric trade for LaVine, but I doubt they would offer much more than a first-round protected pick (2029 or 2030), a young prospect (Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino), and salary filler (Rui Hachimura or Gabe Vincent). To be sure, the Lakers would battle to keep Christie and Hachimura… Los Angeles isn’t interested in moving Austin Reaves for LaVine, as I have reported.

Mayberry:The Bulls won’t like your proposed structure for a trade, but it’s one they might have to accept.

That’s what it comes to, the Lakers might trade for LaVine if all they give up is Russell, Vincent, Christie and a protected pick — and even then Los Angeles will have to stop and think. LaVine’s massive contract — $40 million this season and $138 million guaranteed over three more seasons beyond this one — has every team hitting the pause button. Does LaVine drive winning enough to pay that? Also, Reaves is off the table.

Is that enough for the Bulls?

76ers interested in LaVine, Anunoby

Not only the Lakers, but everyone has little interest in trade for LaVine. Charania said on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back that the 76ers, who may be interested, have their sights set on the Raptors’ original player, Anunoby.

Philadelphia is positioned to have almost all of their salary space available in the summer of 2020. They could utilise that room to sign LaVine or trade for a guy like Anunoby and re-sign him. The 76ers have first-round draft selections and matching salaries after the Harden deal, which they can use to acquire almost any player. If other teams choose to cooperate, they can play as players.

With the Hawks leading a group of interested clubs, the Raptors have complete control over the trade deadline. Will they eventually try to sell Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby? After this season, Siakam and Anunoby will both be free agents (Anunoby must choose to forego his below-market $19 million salary for the next season), and it is said that they are both willing to go on. Normally, Toronto would try to trade Siakam for something else, but they experienced the same thing with Fred VanVleet the previous season and had to watch him go (the same thing happened with Kyle Lowry before him). Toronto has a poorer record than most clubs when it comes to overvaluing its players in comparison to what the market would bear; this might occur once again and

According to reports, Toronto would want to retool around Anunoby and Scottie Barnes. However, because Anunoby will be a free agency, the Raptors must speak with him to see whether he wants to stay. Anunoby, a superb on-ball defender who is shooting 37.2% from three this season, is well-liked around the league and is expected to earn max or almost max salary on his next deal. In addition to offering the Raptors a respectable sum in exchange for a trade, the club that trades for him must be prepared to cover that expense, which most are. The Raptors would like to cover the whole cost of that next deal. Anunoby has the last say.

But the 76ers are watching and have been linked to both.

Thunder buyers at trade deadline?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are second in the Western Conference with a record of 17-8 and an MVP contender in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although they are among the NBA’s best five teams, can they really fight for the championship? In the NBA, most people still believe they will be here in a year or more, and general manager Sam Presti is known for his incredibly patient nature.

At the trade deadline, don’t be shocked if that dynamic shifts, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer stated on SiriusXM radio.

“Many people have told me that’s exactly the opposite of what they’re going to do [be patient].” Although they are working behind the scenes, they are claiming in public. This is all kind in the early stages, so who knows for sure until the trade calls actually begin to happen?

“I can assure you that every executive from a rival team with whom I have met is fully ready for Oklahoma City to take that action. since they now have the second position in the Western Conference… With all of their draft selections, the Thunder have an incredible potential to add someone to this right now, but too many people are expecting them to sniff around.

Oklahoma City is a team that is willing to participate in any bidding war and has an abundance of draft assets that it may deal. It wouldn’t be absurd to assume that OKC would enter the race if someone like Anunoby were available.

Jazz could be sellers at trade deadline

Let’s clear up where things stand with the Jazz heading into the trade deadline.

After an unexpectedly slow start to the season, they are willing to be sellers at the trade deadline. Specifically, a team looking for scoring punch at the guard spot should call Utah’s Danny Ainge to talk about Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, both of whom are available and fit the bill.

The guy teams are really eyeing is Lauri Markkanen, and a recent report said the Jazz are not outright rejecting calls about him, a sign they are listening. Sure, but it will take a Gobert-sized offer — meaning a dramatic overpay — to get Markkanen. It is doubtful any team will step up with that kind of offer at the trade deadline, and probably not next summer, either. Expect Markkanen to be with the Jazz — where he wants to be — for the season’s final months.

Also, expect the Jazz to make some moves.