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The Golden State Warriors were reportedly interested in trading for a pair of Chicago Bulls players before a blockbuster trade on Sunday.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors “did seriously explore trade constructions” that would have landed them Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, but Golden State “opted to focus on other trade pursuits.”
LaVine ultimately ended up with the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team trade that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
LaVine, 29, is putting up 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season and was keeping the Bulls alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race before the trade. Per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson, some within the Warriors organization viewed LaVine as the safer option over another potential trade target, the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler.
Whether Golden State will pivot its focus fully to Butler remains to be seen, but it will at least have to find another option besides LaVine.
The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Sam Amick and Eric Nehm reported Sunday that “talks between the Warriors and Bulls regarding Vučević are very real” while noting that Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II and Kyle Anderson were “believed” to be the players that would have been involved on Golden State’s side. Katz, Amick and Nehm also reported that “all signs” pointed to Vučević being enthused by the deal.
Vučević, 34, is playing at a high level, putting up 19.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this year.
The Warriors might be pivoting away from LaVine and Vučević, but it would be somewhat surprising if they didn’t make a move or two ahead of the deadline. Golden State is currently in 11th place in a tough Western Conference at 24-24 and needs to get Stephen Curry some help to make a run at the playoffs.
Butler is an option as the Heat try to find a home for their disgruntled star, but a handful of other available players could present themselves in the coming days.
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