Report: Trade market for Bulls’ Zach LaVine is ‘still barren’

The trade market for Bulls guard Zach LaVine is “still barren,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski writes on Threads in a question-and-answer session with fans.

LaVine’s right foot injury is complicating Chicago’s efforts to find a taker, Wojnarowski adds. He hasn’t played since Nov. 28, and the team announced in early December that he would be sidelined for another three to four weeks while receiving treatment for inflammation in the foot.

He has reached the three-week mark and recently began working on “light cutting” in hopes of working his way back onto the court.

The Bulls have been trying for weeks to work out a LaVine deal as the first step in what was expected to be a larger roster shakeup. However, the team has played much better without him, winning six of its last 10 games to climb into 10th place in the East.

LaVine remains a dangerous offensive player, even though his current scoring average of 21.0 PPG and his shooting percentages of 44.3% from the floor and 33.6% from three-point range are all down from recent years.

Questions about LaVine’s defense and durability are affecting his trade value, along with a hefty contract that will pay him nearly $138M over the next three seasons if he picks up his player option for 2026-27.

Also on Threads, Wojnarowski states that Toronto “just isn’t there” on decisions to part with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. The Raptors‘ forwards are both headed toward free agency next summer, but it appears team president Masai Ujiri will wait until closer to the Feb. 8 deadline before determining whether to make them available.

Wojnarowski describes trade talks around the league so far as “lots of buyers, few sellers.” He says the play-in tournament affects that balance, with more teams seeing a potential path to the playoffs.

A draft class that’s projected to be weaker than normal also comes into play, with teams less motivated to chase a high pick without a potential franchise changer like Victor Wembanyama available.

Wojnarowski expects the trade market to eventually heat up, but he predicts “the asking price is going to be high from the really bad teams to move off assets.”

Related Posts

Philadelphia 76ers’ Jimmy Butler Plan If Miami Heat Fail To Reach Extension, Revealed

Tһаnks to а bаnged uр-Joel Embііd fіgһtіng tһrougһ tһe entіre seаson, tһe Pһіlаdelрһіа 76ers weren’t іn full strengtһ wһen tһe fасed tһe New York Knісks іn tһe…

Shaquille O’Neal opens up on oft-clowned on Boston Celtics tenure

One of tһe NBA’s greаtest tаlents Sһаquіlle O’Neаl, а рowerһouse іn tһe раіnt, refleсts on һіs less-tһаn-stellаr tenure weаrіng а Boston Celtісs jersey. Sһаquіlle O’Neаl, one of…

This candidate should be Lakers’ next coach after helping LeBron’s former rival

Tһe Los Angeles Lаkers аre seаrсһіng for а new һeаd сoасһ аfter fіrіng Dаrvіn Hаm on Frіdаy. Tһere wіll be іmmedіаte рressure on wһoever gets tһe job….

Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards fires back at Michael Jordan comparisons

NBA рlаyers аre аlwаys сomраred to legends of tһe раst, oftentіmes leаdіng to іnsurmountаble exрeсtаtіons. For Mіnnesotа Tіmberwolves suрerstаr Antһony Edwаrds, һіs сomраrіson һаs suddenly beсome none…

Magic, Klay Thompson reportedly have ‘mutual interest’

Klаy Tһomрson’s future wіtһ tһe Golden Stаte Wаrrіors іs fаr from сertаіn. He’s enterіng unrestrісted free аgenсy іn tһe summer, аnd tһe Wаrrіors front offісe һаs yet…

Pat Riley tells Jimmy Butler ‘Keep your mouth shut.’

Pаt Rіley just рublісly sһаmed Jіmmy Butler durіng а tіme wһere NBA сoасһes аnd exeсutіves аre һellbent on рroteсtіng tһeіr stаrs. Tһe Mіаmі Heаt lost tһeіr fіrst-round…