The 2023-2024 NBA regular season didn’t start as well as the Chicago Bulls hoped. After Monday night’s loss to the Miami Heat, their record fell to 5-10 as rumors swirl about the franchise’s future.
Billy Donovan says postgame incident involving Zach LaVine was ‘handled internally’
Zach LaVine’s involvement in trade negotiations has pretty much amplified every move he’s made in recent weeks.
After the Chicago Bulls’ comeback win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night, LaVine was seen dismissing a member of the team’s public relations staff and heading towards the locker room.
NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic Acquiring Zach LaVine From Chicago Bulls?
With the Orlando Magic off to a hot start, could the team make a splash by trading for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine?
ORLANDO – Is it time for the Orlando Magic to pivot by trading for a proven player?
With the Chicago Bulls rumored to be potentially headed for a fire sale, The Athletic mentioned Magic as a potential trade partner and put together a package for All-Star guard Zach LaVine.
In the proposed trade, Orlando would give up Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris, Jett Howard, Chuma Okeke and a first-round pick for LaVine.
The Athletic also noted that the Magic could include Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black or Markelle Fultz in the trade.
Trading for LaVine would not only give Orlando a proven asset, but it would also fill a huge need, namely the ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
“Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have spent much of their young careers playing in a phone booth, with little space to operate and create shots,” writes The Athletic.
“Banchero’s strength and balance make him a force, and Wagner is a standout 6-foot-4 forward with a tremendous amount of skill and strong shooting ability.”
Orlando got a glimpse of what LaVine is capable of shooting the ball when he made a game-winning 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the Magic’s 96-94 win over the Bulls at United Center on Wednesday.
The Athletic also noted how Orlando’s depth could position themselves defensively to make up for some of LaVine’s shortcomings.
“The Magic are also one of the few teams capable of isolating LaVine on defense with their other defensive options,” The Athletic wrote.
“Suggs is one of the five best defensive guards I’ve seen in the league this season.
Black is already pretty good for a rookie in that regard and Fultz is sharp with his length and overall intelligence. Orlando might not want to move Howard, but you might see him as expendable.
“This is the kind of trade that could move the Magic from a play-in team to a top-six seed, and they would maintain real advantage over the remaining younger players and cap flexibility this summer,” writes The Athletic .
Where Orlando might get stuck in this hypothetical potential trade is the question of who they’ll give up in favor of LaVine. Isaac was healthy (knock on wood) and solid defensively again.
Trading your best defensive forward could be about closing one hole but opening another.
If LaVine is available at the right price, Orlando should do its due diligence.
A deal for “LaVine” would not only add a much-needed point guard, but also signal that the Magic are ready to transition from a team fighting for a playoff spot to a team ready to take on the Eastern Conference’s Elite challenge .
