An NBA analyst has suggested that the Orlando Magic should acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls this offseason. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade:
Chicago Bulls Receive: Cole Anthony, Jett Howard, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick (second most favorable from Detroit, Milwaukee, or Orlando)
Orlando Magic Receive: Zach LaVine
The Bulls plan to trade LaVine after failing to do so at the trade deadline. Chicago has won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.
LaVine played just 25 games this season before undergoing season-ending right foot surgery in February. A two-time All-Star, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 2023-24, shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc, and 85.4% from the free-throw line.
LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He will earn $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26.
A UCLA product, LaVine has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks with the Timberwolves and Bulls.
“LaVine’s shooting and off-the-dribble creation are perfect for a half-court offense lacking both,” Favale wrote. “While he doesn’t fill the floor-general role, the Magic have the flexibility and assets to continue their search for a playmaker. His price is also more manageable as he’ll be in the final year of his contract when Paolo Banchero’s inevitable max extension begins.”
The Magic were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of this year’s playoffs in seven games. Meanwhile, the Bulls missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
“Saving the Bulls a boatload of money is part of this package’s appeal, but the framework can assume different permutations depending on Orlando’s side quests,” Favale wrote. “This structure uses most of the Magic’s cap space while accounting for the returns of Gary Harris and Mo Wagner (team option). They can adjust the outbound salary to operate over the cap by including some combination of Isaac, Wagner, and Joe Ingles (team option).”
According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, LaVine and the Bulls are “motivated” to part ways this offseason. It will be intriguing to see if Chicago finds a new home for LaVine.
