RealGM Basketball Wiretap

05 December 2023

• Zach LaVine Out One Week Due To Sore Right Foot

  Zach LaVine will be out for one week due to right foot soreness, the Chicago Bulls announced on Friday.

  LaVine has been the frequent target of trade discussions this season, with trading LaVine reportedly the main "focal point" for the Bulls.

  According to Adrian Wojnarowski, there is currently no trade market for LaVine.

• Zach LaVine Doesn't Have Trade Market Currently

  The Chicago Bulls have found the trade market for Zach LaVine to be tepid several weeks after it became clear that both sides have interest in a separation.

  "There is not a market for Zach LaVine right now in the NBA," said Adrian Wojnarowski on NBA Today. "That's not because Chicago has not tried to find it and aren't currently trying to find it.

  "It's a combination of a few reasons. LaVine's contract at four more years at around a $45 million or $46 million a year average. But his productivity. I think this is a player right now who is out right now with a foot injury. He's been in and out of the lineup. I think the question for teams is how much does Zach LaVine impact winning. Especially at that salary and with a new salary cap where you're asking for yourself 'Are you trading for him to be our best player? No. Our second best player? No. If he's our third best player, do we want to pay that kind of money?'

  "For the Bulls, they want to get some value in a trade. Right now, for both LaVine and the Bulls to get a trade, he needs to starts playing well. He needs to start playing well and impacting winning. That certainly is what teams are going want to see as they look at the value of trying to do a trade for him."

• Trading Zach LaVine Is Main 'Focal Point' For Bulls

  Trading Zach LaVine remains the top priority for Arturas Karnisovas, sources told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

  Karnisovas is reportedly responding to inquiries for other players by saying he wants to see the Bulls roster post-LaVine trade.

  Shams Charania reported earlier in the week that the Bulls would seek Austin Reaves in a potential deal with the Lakers.

  Johnson adds that should the Bulls decide to rebuild through trades, Andre Drummond would also draw interest from around the league.

• Joe Mazzulla Apologized To Andre Drummond For 'Hack-A' Strategy

  The Boston Celtics knew they were chasing point differential totals to advance in the In-Season Tournament. Boston needed to not only beat the Orlando Magic, but they had to stay far enough in front of the Brooklyn Nets too. The led to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla having his team employ the "Hack-A" strategy on Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.

  Following the game, Mazzulla apologized to Drummond for the tactic. Mazzulla also said he talked with Bulls coach Billy Donovan about how the circumstances weren't just about staying in front of the Magic, but also the Nets.

  For his part, Donovan said he didn't like Boston intentionally fouling Drummond. Donovan said, "I just felt bad for Andre in that situation." However, Donovan said he understood the Celtics were chasing the point differential tiebreaker to win Group C.

  Jaylen Brown of the Celtics also said he didn't like the situation, even if he understood why it was a necessary one.

• Bulls Would Covet Austin Reaves In Potential Zach LaVine Trade

  The Los Angeles Lakers have been mentioned as a potential trade suitor for Zach LaVine. One challenge is that the Lakers can't make any kind of deal for LaVine until closer to mid-December or mid-January, when offseason signees become trade eligible.

  One of those players is Austin Reaves, who can't be traded until January 15. Per Shams Charania of FanDuelTV, the Chicago Bulls would covet Reaves in a potential LaVine deal.

  Los Angeles would need to trade Chicago more than just Reaves to make the salary-matching work. However, Reaves and his team-friendly four-year, $54 million deal would be a good starting point in trade discussions between the two teams.

• Zach LaVine Trade Unlikely To Be Resolved Until Deadline

  Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls appear to be on the path to a separation, but a trade is unlikely to materialize in the near future.

  The trade market could open up after December 15th when most players who signed contracts this past offseason become trade eligible, "a more realistic target it the Feb. 9 trade deadline," reports Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

  LaVine's shot attempts have been down over the Bulls' past two games.

  LaVine is signed through the 26-27 season and can become a free agent in 2026.

• Bulls Unhappy With Zach LaVine's Post-Game Actions

  The Chicago Bulls are reportedly unhappy with Zach LaVine's actions following their win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

  Cameras caught LaVine pulling his arm away from public-relations director Beth Esler as she tried to get him to do a post-game interview with the team's flagship TV station.

  ''Just a miscommunication with the PR team. We're all fine," said LaVine after the game.

  The Bulls front office was "less than thrilled" with LaVine's behavior, with Billy Donovan also said to be angry.

  LaVine has been the target of several recent trade rumors.

• Zach LaVine: Bulls Players Are Doing Everything They Can

  When the Chicago Bulls lost a second straight game to the Orlando Magic on Friday, players were asked what adjustments need to be made. Zach LaVine, who is reportedly open to working with the team on a trade, said it's not on the players to figure it out.

  "I mean, the players are doing everything they can," LaVine said when asked whether the Bulls are making adequate adjustments. "I know everybody's trying to do the best they can. We've just got to figure out something that works."

  As the spotlight turns toward head coach Billy Donovan, he doesn't think his team has given up.

  "I don't think they compete in the second half like they do if that (is the case)," Donovan said. "I don't know. If I had the answer to that, we would try to get it corrected."

  The Bulls did bounce back to get a much-needed victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night. It was a balanced effort from Chicago, that saw all five starters score in double-figures.

• Raptors Expected To Have Interest In Zach LaVine

  The Toronto Raptors are expected to show interest in trading for Zach LaVine, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

  "I'm told the Raptors are also expected to have some level of interest in LaVine. Masai Ujiri is always aggressive in his approach... the Raptors are a team to watch," said Charania.

  LaVine reportedly prefers a trade to the Lakers, Heat, or Sixers.

  Charania also confirmed that the Lakers, Heat, and Sixers are all expected to show interest in LaVine.

• Zach LaVine Prefers Lakers, Heat, Sixers As Trade Destination

  Zach LaVine reportedly prefers to get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, or the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports.

  LaVine is also interested in the Spurs and the Kings as a destination.

  Sources add that LaVine does not view the Bulls roster as competitive, and is also looking to play under a different coach.

  There is a belief around the league that a LaVine trade wouldn't happen until later in the season.

  The Lakers, Heat, and Sixers have all registered interest in LaVine.