Chicago Bulls Receive: G Tim Hardaway Jr. ($18.9M 2020-21 Salary), DAL 2022, 2025 First-Round Picks, DAL 2021, 2023 Second-Round Picks
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Zach LaVine ($19.5M)
The draft overhaul the Dallas Mavericks send in this trade for Zach LaVine may match up more with what the Chicago Bulls would want for trading away a player like LaVine, who is coming off his best season in the NBA. LaVine averaged 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 45.0% from the floor and 38.0% from three.
Proving that he can be more than a human-highlight tape dunking on people, Zach LaVine has completely refined his game and has turned into a potential All-Star talent type player. He is more than capable of being the leader on a team, much like he has been with the Bulls over the years, but next to Doncic and Porzingis is where he would thrive.
Luka Doncic is the guy in Dallas and while LaVine may be happy with his position in Chicago, the fact that the Bulls have no chance to win immediately has to be eating at him. Not only is he entering the prime of his career, but there is no need to waste his talents as part of a rebuild once again. Joining the Mavericks not only gives him the chance to win multiple championships, but allows him to become an All-Star next to Doncic.
In any trade package for LaVine, the Bulls will have to cope with acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr’s contract to make the money work with Dallas. In this scenario, acquiring four draft picks that can help build the core of the future for Chicago is more of what they are looking for if they deal LaVine. Drafting Patrick Williams this past year and Coby White last year gives the Bulls two guys to build with for years to come, but is still not enough.
The Bulls need all of the draft assets they can get right now because they are in no position to win yet and frankly, are not in any position to lure big name free agents. If they can flip some of these picks into an all-star level player ahead of free agency next season, the Bulls have the opportunity to attract free agents, but as of right now, having LaVine is not enough to do so.
If the Mavs are to acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls, they have to be prepared to give up their draft capital for years to come. In doing so, they solidify themselves as NBA Championship contenders for the next decade.
