The Chicago Bulls appear to have decided on a course of action.
According to The Athletic, Zach LaVine is expected to be traded at some point this season, as the Bulls have begun to discuss the possibility of trading the two-time All-Star.
There is still plenty of time before the February 8 trade deadline, and no agreement is expected anytime soon. However, a LaVine trade could have an impact on the Toronto Raptors this season.
On the one hand, LaVine makes perfect sense for Toronto. He’s a proven three-point shooter, and he’d quickly revitalize Toronto’s sluggish half-court offense. Even in a down year, he’s still averaging 21.9 points per game and has scored more than 20 points per game in each of the last six seasons.
LaVine’s defense, on the other hand, has been a source of concern throughout his career, and at 28 years old, he’s not an ideal timeline fit next to Scottie Barnes. Add in the fact that the Raptors don’t have a first-round pick this year and can’t trade a first-round pick until 2028, and it’s difficult to see Toronto engaging in a bidding war for the Bulls guard.
The Raptors’ biggest difference will most likely be Chicago’s exit from the play-in game. The Bulls knocked Toronto out of the play-in tournament this year, but after a 4-8 start to the season, Chicago appears to be on the verge of collapse. If a trade occurs, another middle-of-the-pack team will be removed from the Eastern Conference playoff picture, giving the Raptors a better chance of making the postseason.
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