Zach LaVine Trade is ‘Focus’ of Western Conference Contender

• Updated Dec 17, 2024 at 10:29pm

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Zach LaVine during a November 29 game against the Boston Celtics.

For the first time in years, there’s some momentum on a deal involving Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. Sam Amick and Tony Jones of The Athletic report that the Denver Nuggets are an interested party ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline, and that their focus is “significant.”

“League sources say the focus on LaVine in recent discussions is significant, with the Nuggets interested in the 29-year-old who is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season,” Amick and Jones wrote. “LaVine, a two-time All-Star, is owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 campaign.”

Denver is looking to add an established scorer to a team that’s 14-10 and a far cry from the powerhouse that hoisted the Larry O’ Brien trophy in 2023.

Chicago is 12-15, and over a third of the way through what appears to be another middling year in the Eastern Conference.

They’ve been steadfast in their hopes of moving on from LaVine for years. It appears that for the first time, there’s some real traction on a deal to end the two-time All-Star’s tenure with the Bulls.

This story will be updated.