As NBA free agency enters its second month, the Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to pursue major signings immediately, focusing instead on long-term strategies. The upcoming February 6 trade deadline marks a critical point in their plans, prompting the Lakers to consider how best to bolster a roster that has consistently secured the Western Conference’s 7th seed in recent postseasons.
Looking ahead, the potential availability of players over the next six months remains uncertain. However, according to Zach Buckley’s analysis on August 2 for Bleacher Report, there are five notable players expected to be on the move before the deadline. One such player is Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, known for his career average of 20.5 points per game over ten seasons and set to earn $43 million next season as part of his $215 million contract’s third year.
“LaVine has been on the trade block for much of the past year, hindered by concerns that have kept potential deals from materializing,” Buckley noted. “Despite his imperfections, he remains a two-time All-Star known for his strong offensive output when healthy. Eventually, a win-now team in need of scoring and shooting will likely pursue him for an immediate boost.”
Regarding the Lakers’ interest in LaVine, Buckley suggested that if they truly coveted him, they would have acquired him already, given the Bulls’ active efforts to trade him without success. Factors contributing to this include LaVine’s hefty contract and limited playtime last season, appearing in just 25 games. However, as the upcoming season progresses, the pressure on the Lakers to maximize the championship window with LeBron James and Anthony Davis may push them towards more aggressive measures.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic emphasized on July 16 that the Los Angeles Lakers are taking a deliberate and thoughtful approach to any potential trades.
“The Lakers have made it clear they’re not interested in making trades just for the sake of it,” Buha wrote. “They want any move to have a clear purpose. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they know they may have limited opportunities left to make a significant impact. The bar for trading away their first-round draft picks, especially two of them, is set very high.”
Los Angeles possesses first-round picks in 2029 and 2031, and the expiring contract of D’Angelo Russell, valued at approximately $19 million, could serve as a foundational piece for a trade package that adheres to league regulations and appeals to a team focused on future building, such as the Chicago Bulls.
However, concerns surround Zach LaVine’s suitability for the Lakers. While he boasts impressive offensive skills, averaging between 23.7 and 27.4 points per game over a five-year span from 2018 to 2023 and shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game, his defensive capabilities are a significant drawback. Last season, LaVine posted a defensive rating of 117.8, compared to the league average of 116.1. Pairing him with Austin Reaves in the backcourt could potentially strain the Lakers defensively.
Despite these considerations, acquiring LaVine could alleviate offensive pressure on LeBron James and provide a potent scoring option during James’ rest periods or absences due to injury.
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