Lakers insider reveals Zach LaVine was "intrigued" at the possibility of joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis in LA
Zach LaVine to the LA Lakers has been a trade rumors staple for some time now. With both the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers hitting an early summer, the focus is on what these two teams will do next. With LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso pegged as potential targets for LA in the offseason, the spotlight on the Lakers intensifies. However, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the chances of LaVine returning home to LA are unlikely.
Speaking on his "Lakers Mailbag" on YouTube, Buha shed light on how LaVine was "intrigued" by the prospect of joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis during the 2023-24 season.
"I did hear during the season that Zach was intrigued by the potential of being a Laker," Buha said [Starts at 38:09]. "And that was the time when the Zach to LA rumors started. That was a later November-December range."
Earlier, LaVine was spotted shaking hands with both James and Davis during the Klutch Pro Day, sparking speculations of a trade to the Lakers. But Buha dismissed the thought, explaining that it was simply a cordial moment among Klutch clients gathered together.
Despite the buzz about LaVine becoming a Laker increasing during the timeframe Buha mentioned, multiple reports eventually said that the franchises moved away from the two-time NBA All-Star.
Zach LaVine aside, the Lakers are hunting for a third star, according to Jovan Buha
In the same video, Jovan Buha added that the Lakers are looking to land a third star player alongside James and Davis. At the time of writing, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young and even Kyrie Irving have been mentioned as potential targets.
While Zach LaVine has been a prolific shooter averaging 24.2 points for the Bulls, injury issues have been a constant headline with the guard. His foot injury ruled him out for the season early on this time as well and the Lakers will be wary that another injury might see him more on the bench than be the perfect foil alongside the team's two superstars.
To add, the 29-year-old has one of the most weighty contracts in the league. Assuming he picks up his player option for 2026-27, he'll rake in $138 million over the next three seasons. With all of these factors, it's hard to see how Zach LaVine can be a justified pick for the Lakers.