NBA – Amid Lakers Rumors, Zach LaVine’s Inciting Statement: “It’s a…

Rawel Visual / NBA (DR)

While the Bulls are experiencing great difficulties at the start of the season, Zach LaVine has reportedly been placed on the transfer market. News that would not have escaped the Lakers, and to which the star winger has just reacted in a notable way.

Despite a disappointing 2022-23 campaign that ended in the Play-In Tournament, they paradoxically did not make many changes this summer. The Bulls have in fact decided to maintain their confidence in their major trio DeMar DeRozan – Nikola Vucevic – Zach LaVine… and have clearly not reaped the rewards so far this season (4 wins, 8 losses). The time for upheaval would therefore have finally come.

The Zach LaVine trail to the Lakers is gaining momentum

Faced with the poor results obtained since the resumption, Chicago’s leaders seem open to an overhaul of their workforce. This should notably involve the upcoming departure of Zach LaVine according to information from Shams Charania, who reported possible interest from the Heat, the Lakers and the 76ers. A bomb on which Marc Stein recently rebounded by excluding one of these franchises from the battle:

Don’t expect Zach LaVine to land on the Philadelphia 76ers. It seems much more plausible that teams such as Miami or the Los Angeles Lakers would indicate substantial interest in LaVine, given that those teams have a much more obvious need for offensive reinforcement.

Enough to reduce the list of candidates in this file.

It now remains to be determined whether the 28-year-old winger is truly on the move, and especially whether the Bulls will agree to trade him if that is the case. As for the first part of that equation, LaVine’s recent public appearance with his agent, Rich Paul, seemingly sent a clear message. His speech this Wednesday and reported by K.C. Johnson also had a similar effect:

Usually, Zach LaVine says he’s frustrated the Bulls aren’t winning. Usually, he reacts to rumors about him by saying, “If it doesn’t come out of my mouth…”. He didn’t say that (this Wednesday), but said “It’s a business. » He added that

Normally, Zach LaVine says he’s frustrated Bulls aren’t winning. Usually, he responds to rumors by saying “if it didn’t come my mouth . . .” He didn’t do that today. Said “it’s a business.” Said Rich Paul and AK have good relationship.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 15, 2023

Usually, Zach LaVine says he’s frustrated the Bulls aren’t winning. Usually, he reacts to rumors about him by saying, “If it doesn’t come out of my mouth…”. He didn’t say that (this Wednesday), but said “It’s a business.” He added that Rich Paul and AK (Artūras Karnišovas, the GM of the Bulls, editor’s note) get along well.

Enough to obviously leave the door open to his suitors, he who would certainly not be against a return to Los Angeles as a former UCLA player.

Opened just a few hours ago, the Zach LaVine case is already taking an interesting turn. The player seems more ready than ever to pack his bags, while the good relationship between his agent and the Bulls would facilitate a potential trade.