Lakers Make Certain Player Off-Limits In Any Zach LaVine Trade

The Zach LaVine rumors are running rampant now that he and the Chicago Bulls are open to a possible trade. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the prime suitors that we revealed earlier this week, but if it means giving up young star Austin Reaves, they're not interested. 

The Lakers aren’t interested in including Austin Reaves in a potential Zach LaVine deal, per @jovanbuha

“The most likely framework of a LaVine deal would center around Russell, who waived his implied no-trade clause over the offseason. It’d also need to feature Hachimura or… pic.twitter.com/sNPfKYoJzD

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 16, 2023

Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports that D’Angelo Russell would have to be the centerpiece of any deal.  

“The most likely framework of a LaVine deal would center around Russell, who waived his implied no-trade clause over the offseason," writes Buha. "It’d also need to feature Hachimura or Vincent as additional matching salary, another player and either the team’s 2029 or 2030 first-round pick – potentially with protections.”

But wait, there's more, says Buha. If the Bulls go into full-on fire sale mode, the Lakers would be open to expanding this to an all-out blockbuster.

"The Lakers would also have interest in DeMar DeRozan and/or former Laker Alex Caruso, according to multiple team sources".

The latest out of Chicago is that they are considering extending DeRozan, who's on an expiring contract, but once they pull the trigger on LaVine, anything could happen.  

Photo: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports