A third team has emerged that could help facilitate LaVine to Denver

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is one of the hottest names on the trade market, and rightfully so. The 29-year-old is off to an extremely hot start to the 2024-25 season, averaging 22.0 points and 3.4 three-pointers per game while converting 50.1 percent of his field goals and 44.4 percent of his triples.

LaVine's primary suitor has emerged as the Denver Nuggets, who reportedly are canvassing the league for a significant trade to add a dynamic scorer alongside Nikola Jokic. The Athletic's report listed numerous players, such as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson and Brooklyn Nets' forward Cameron Johnson, but LaVine is said to be the key focus.

The eleven-year pro is far more accomplished than the Nuggets' other options. However, his contract far exceeds most counterparts. LaVine is slated to earn $43 million this season, $46 million next, and $49 million in 2026-27 as a 31-year-old who turns 32 in March.

Despite LaVine's exorbitant price, Denver possesses a near-matching salary to LaVine, allowing for a seamless trade. Michael Porter Jr. is in the third season of a five-year, $179 million pact he signed in 2021. The 26-year-old earns $36 million this season before seeing a $2.5 million bump next year and the year after. Although a LaVine-for-Porter Jr. swap isn't financially legal, the Nuggets could add Zeke Nnaji or a combination of Dario Saric and a minimum-level contract to meet financial requirements.

While the parameters of a Porter Jr. and Nnaji swap for LaVine works financially, the Bulls are reportedly hesitant to acquire Nnaji and his four-year, $32 million deal. Instead of giving up hope on hitting the rebuild button and abandoning hopes of what might be the best time to trade LaVine, including a third team to grease the wheels appears likely.

The Pistons have emerged as a third team to help facilitate a trade for LaVine

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Detroit Pistons are a team to watch come the February 6 trade deadline. Not because of Detroit's interest in LaVine or other trade candidates Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram, but because of the Pistons' extensive salary cap room, harboring more than $14 million in salary cap space.

Although the Pistons are unlikely to receive a valuable player in any given trade, Detroit would likely receive a contract, such as Nnaji's, with the caveat that draft picks are attached. For instance, the basis of a hypothetical trade would look like this: LaVine to Denver, Porter Jr. and Wendell Moore Jr. ($2.5 million) to Chicago, and Nnaji and a Nuggets' future-protected first-rounder to Detroit.

However, the trade could become further convoluted if Chicago shows interest in Isaiah Stewart, who signed a modest, four-year $45 million pact in the offseason. If this were the case, Detroit may be able to poach future draft compensation from the Nuggets and Bulls. Even if it's not a first-rounder from Chicago, a few second-rounders may do the trick. The Pistons own numerous draft picks over the next five-plus seasons and can use said picks to pry away a superstar.

Conversely, if the Pistons brass feels contending status is close, absorbing Nikola Vucevic's contract is equally plausible. It won't take much for the Pistons to acquire the 34-year-old big who would help open the floor for playmaking guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Sending Stewart or even Tim Hardaway Jr. and draft compensation to Chicago satisfies all financial restrictions.

There are numerous avenues for Detroit to explore as a third team in the LaVine-to-Denver trade talks. Even though Marks named the Pistons as a team to help facilitate, at 12-17, in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, don't be surprised if Detroit takes on a veteran to aid in a potential playoff push.