(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
As usual, the Los Angeles Lakers are prominently mentioned in trade rumors ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 8, with the team currently struggling and looking for ways to upgrade their roster for the second half of the regular season and potentially a deep playoff run.
One big-name player who has constantly been linked to the Lakers over the last few months has been UCLA alum Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, as many believe he could be on the move before the deadline next month.
The Bulls seem to be prepared to start a rebuilding process in Chicago, as moves they have made over the last few years haven’t worked out, including bringing in LaVine and signing him to a lucrative long-term deal.
With the Lakers looking for a third star to play alongside superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, LaVine seems to fit the bill, but his contract is quite large and something the team doesn’t want to take on.
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers don’t appear to be talking about LaVine right now as an option ahead of the trade deadline, via “Ball Don’t Lie” on Twitter.
“[Zach LaVine’s] name does not come up when I talk to people about Laker trades.”@DanWoikeSports talks what he’s hearing on Zach LaVine and the Lakers pic.twitter.com/kaNg4oSgS0
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) January 22, 2024
As Woike points out, LaVine might only be a trade option for the Lakers if he’s packaged with Alex Caruso, a player the team still covets and would love to have back in Los Angeles moving forward.
However, it might be a stretch that the Lakers can acquire both players, especially with other teams showing interest in Caruso, as he might be a hot commodity ahead of the trade deadline.
The post Insider Notes Lakers’ True Feelings On Zach LaVine appeared first on The Cold Wire.