LA Lakers trade rumors: Zach LaVine of Chicago Bulls a "dreamiest return" for GM Rob Pelinka
With trade talk heating up as the new year nears, the LA Lakers are still out and about in the market looking for more shooting, and hopefully a little bit of defense.
The Lakers rank 14th in the NBA in defense, but are bottom 10 in offense, with an offensive rating of 111.2. The Lakers (11-16) desperately need shooting: They are 30th in 3-point percentage and 27th in 3-point attempts per game.
While the Lakers have pitched Patrick Beveley, Kendrick Nunn and a first-rounder for Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons, another team that has reportedly come up in trade talks is the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls are on a disappointing run this season, with an 11-16 record this season. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported that it is not guaranteed that Lonzo Ball will return this season, and the Bulls will be able to better assess Ball's situation around the All-Star break.
Zach LaVine signed a $215 million contract with the Bulls in the offseason and is averaging 22.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. LaVine's shooting splits are so-so, shooting 43.6% overall and 35.4% from 3-point range.
However, as reported by Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Lakers are eyeing LaVine, whom they believe is an appropriate return for their first-round picks:
"The Lakers are certainly keeping an eye trained toward the Bulls’ developments. A player like Zach LaVine would satisfy Los Angeles’ dreamiest returns for the two future first-round picks Rob Pelinka’s front office has left in its stable.
"Although the murmured idea of flipping Russell Westbrook for Vucevic and DeRozan would appear a far more realistic outcome if Chicago does ultimately pivot from its postseason aspirations." (via) Yahoo Sports
LA Lakers' trade prospects
The LA Lakers' trade woes are the same as they were in the offseason and at the trade deadline last season, when they notably didn't make any trades. They need shooting and defense.
When the Lakers traded for Beverley from the Utah Jazz in the offseason, the pickup was widely lauded, owing to the fact that Beverley is an All-Defense honoree and is a career 37.4% shooter from three-point range.
As luck would have it, Beverley is shooting 25.4% from three-point range (career-low) and has a defensive rating of 113 (also a career-low).
Who can the LA Lakers look at?
They have reportedly included Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn in packages for Bojan Bogdanovic (43.2% from deep, 6.1 3-point attempts per game) and have also inquired about Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier's situation, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
They have also inquired about Kyle Kuzma, who is averaging a career-high in points (21.4 ppg).