NBA trade rumors: it’s no secret that the Lakers are interested in LaVine, and the 76ers are reportedly contemplating Anunoby and LaVine.
The reports about Zach LaVine to 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.
In light of this, FanDuel TV’s Run It BackThe Lakers, Heat, and 76ers all anticipated to show interest in LaVine, according to Shams Charania.
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 summarized 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 like Austin Reaves in Chicago. How much is LaVine worth to the Lakers?
Buha: According to what I understand, the Lakers, as previously stated, still favor (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 fight 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 basically it: the Lakers may make a trade for LaVine if all they give up is Christie, Vincent, Russell, and a protected choice; even in that case, Los Angeles will need to pause and consider their options. Every team is pausing due to LaVine’s enormous contract, which guarantees $138 million over three more seasons in addition to his $40 million this season. Does LaVine have the winnings to cover that? Reaves is also off the table. Is the Bulls satisfied with that?
76ers are considering LaVine and Anunoby.
Not just the Lakers, but everyone has little interest in trade for LaVine. Charania added 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 cap space available in the summer of 2020. They could use that space to sign LaVine or trade for a player like Anunoby and re-sign him. The 76ers have first-round draft picks and matching salaries after the Harden trade, 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 teams, 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 following 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 history of overvaluing its players relative to market value, which puts them at risk of receiving nothing at all. This is worse than most teams.
According to reports, Toronto would want to retool around Anunoby and Scottie Barnes. However, since Anunoby will be a free agent, 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 throughout the league and is expected to earn max or nearly max salary on his next contract.
Any team that makes a deal for him needs to be prepared to cover that expense, which most do, and also need to provide the Raptors a respectable return for the player. The Raptors would prefer to cover the entire cost of that upcoming contract. Anunoby has the last say. But the 76ers have been connected to both and are keeping an eye on things.
Jazz might sell at the trade deadline.
Let’s be honest about the Jazz’s situation before the trade deadline. They are willing to be sellers at the trade deadline following an unanticipatedly slow start to the season. In particular, Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton are both available and meet the description; a team searching for a scoring punch at the guard position should give Utah’s Danny Ainge a call.
Lauri Markkanen is the player that teams are truly interested in, and according to a recent source, the Jazz are listening to inquiries about him since they aren’t flatly denying them. Yes, but in order to acquire Markkanen, a Gobert-sized offer that is, a significant overpay will be necessary. That kind of offer is unlikely to come from any team around the trade deadline, and it’s unlikely to come from one next summer too. For the last several months of the season, Markkanen should be with the Jazz, where he wants to be.