Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Zach LaVine’s time in Chicago has come to an end. And he’s not the only one changing teams.
The Bulls are trading the 29-year-old to the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team deal that also involves the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The full details of the trade are as follows:
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Full trade:
Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first round picks (2025 CHA, 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), three second round picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 own back)
Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 pick via SAS https://t.co/UgwylCUYAO
With LaVine added to the mix, the Kings’ depth chart now looks like this:
- PG: Devin Carter, Keon Ellis
- SG: Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Colby Jones, Sidy Cissoko
- SF: DeMar DeRozan, Doug McDermott, Jae Crowder
- PF: Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, Isaac Jones
- C: Domantas Sabonis, Alex Len
Meanwhile, the Bulls’ roster will look quite different after losing their biggest star:
- PG: Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Lonzo Ball
- SG: Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter
- SF: Dalen Terry, Talen Horton-Tucker
- PF: Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis, Julian Phillips
- C: Nikola Vučević, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith
The Spurs landed the biggest star in the deal by acquiring De’Aaron Fox, who instantly becomes the top running mate for star big man Victor Wembanyama:
- PG: De’Aaron Fox, Chris Paul, Jordan McLaughlin
- SG: Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, Malaki Branham
- SF: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson
- PF: Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan
- C: Victor Wembanyama, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Charles Bassey
ESPN’s Bobby Marks explained the salary cap implications of the deal for each team:
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
2 open roster spots in Sacramento
Plenty of flexibility below the tax
2 big trade exceptions pic.twitter.com/g5UAkKbkbI
Spotrac mapped out the future draft picks for the Spurs, Bulls and Kings after Sunday’s blockbuster trade, though it should be noted that Chicago didn’t receive any new picks in the deal.
The news comes as little surprise after LaVine had been included in trade rumors for nearly two years.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported in June of 2023, that the Bulls had been “quietly gauging” the market for trade interest in LaVine.
Charania added on The Rally at the time that the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers all had a “level of interest,” and Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported in December that LaVine wanted to be moved to the Purple and Gold.
LaVine had spent the last six seasons of his career in Chicago alongside DeMar DeRozan. However, the duo only led the Bulls to one postseason appearance during their time together, which came during the 2021-22 season when they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
With the duo failing to get Chicago over the hump, it was clear the Bulls needed to make a change and perhaps enter a rebuild. That retooling began with the offloading of Alex Caruso in a deal for Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 21.
LaVine has been one of the best players in the NBA over his six-year career in Chicago, earning two All-Star selections. However, his $40-plus million annual salary doesn’t match the performances he has put together over the last two seasons.
In 144 games between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, the UCLA product averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from deep.
In 25 games during the 2023-24 season LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Through 42 games of the 2024-25 campaign, LaVine is averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
LaVine underwent season-ending foot surgery last February and was ruled out for the remainder of the year, resulting in him playing less than half of the 2023-24 season. He appears to be back at full strength this year.
LaVine has three years remaining on his five-year, $215.2 million deal. A change of scenery should benefit the veteran, and the Kings will be hoping he lives up to the remainder of that contract.
It’s no surprise LaVine now finds himself in Sacramento.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported June 20 that the Kings were among the teams that Chicago had held LaVine trade discussions with this offseason. The Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers also had discussions for LaVine, Johnson added.
After falling to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2023 playoffs following a brilliant finish to the 2022-23 regular season (48-34), it became clear Sacramento needed to make some upgrades alongside Domantas Sabonis.
That only became more clear after Sacramento missed the postseason entirely in 2023-24. The team currently ranks 10th in the West with a 24-24 record.
Meanwhile, the Spurs will also be adding some star power by landing Fox.
The 27-year-old is averaging 25 points, five rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season. He’s shooting 46.9 percent from the floor.
Adding Fox gives San Antonio an exciting duo moving forward, as the deal now gives the team another piece around Wembanyama.
This move should give a boost to the Spurs’ playoff chances, as they look to find a rhythm after a 21-25 start to the season.
Meanwhile, the Bulls—who sit at 21-29—will now look toward the future after moving on from LaVine.
Read the full article here