The NBA offseason is always an exciting time for basketball fans, with speculation rife about which players may be on the move. One of the more intriguing trade scenarios that have been discussed recently involves Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine being traded to the Golden State Warriors. While nothing has been confirmed obviously, a potential trade of this magnitude has generated a lot of conversation and debate among basketball analysts and fans alike.
There are several factors that make this trade scenario so intriguing. Firstly, both LaVine and the Warriors are coming off disappointing regular seasons. LaVine averaged 24.8 PPG this season, but the Bulls struggled to win games, earning a 40-42 record and missing out on the playoffs thanks to a loss to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.
Meanwhile, the Warriors, who won the NBA championship last year, found themselves languishing in the middle of the Western Conference with a record of 44-38. If LaVine were to join the Warriors, it would give them a much-needed scoring boost and a change of scenery.
The Warriors are down 3-2 against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs and that is not a good look considering the amount of success the franchise’s fans are used to. The only way to kickstart a new era in Golden State is to swap Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga for All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine.
After all, the Warriors have struggled to find consistent scoring options beyond Stephen Curry all season long, even if Klay Thompson averaged 21.9 PPG. The Golden State Warriors have a ton of planning to do because Klay Thompson is 33 years old and counting, and his 20.3 PPG scoring average in the postseason doesn’t mean he is as untouchable as he was a few years ago. Injuries and age have caught up to Klay and there could be a way to gift Stephen Curry (30.6 PPG in playoffs) a new running partner to help out.
Here is the trade package that could work for the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls to see Zach LaVine coming on board to join Stephen Curry in the backcourt.
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Zach LaVine, Jonathan Kuminga
Chicago Bulls Receive: Klay Thompson
This trade is a massive gamble on both ends because the Warriors certainly move on from 4-time NBA champion Klay Thompson and a young forward in Jonathan Kuminga, and the Chicago Bulls are likely forced to move on from their core of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Here is why this deal works for both the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls.