The Chicago Bulls are entering a transitional phase this season. After trading away key veterans like Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, the team has made it clear they are embracing a rebuild. With young talents showing promise, the Bulls are finally ready to move on from the failed 2021 experiment. However, one major hurdle remains: the Zach LaVine situation.
When LaVine first joined the Bulls, his potential was uncertain. A solid first-round pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he quickly established himself as a premier scoring option in Chicago. His versatility and three-level scoring earned him multiple All-Star appearances and a lucrative $200 million contract.
But despite these accolades, LaVine’s career has stagnated. While he remains an elite scorer, his lack of improvement in other areas—particularly on defense—has raised concerns. As he approaches 30, LaVine’s trajectory no longer aligns with the Bulls’ rebuilding timeline, making a trade almost inevitable.
The Bold Trade Proposal
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently proposed a bold trade idea that could shake up the league. In this hypothetical scenario, LaVine and a 2029 first-round pick swap would head to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji.
For the Nuggets, LaVine would provide a unique scoring punch alongside Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. His ability to score from anywhere on the court could make Denver’s offense unstoppable. However, LaVine’s fit in Denver is not without questions.
Defensively, LaVine raises red flags for the Nuggets. Already a middle-of-the-pack team on defense, Denver could struggle even more after losing key defenders like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Adding LaVine might exacerbate these issues rather than solve them.
Offensively, LaVine’s role as a primary ball-handler could clash with Denver’s established stars. In contrast, Porter’s low usage rate and elite shooting make him an ideal fit alongside Murray and Jokic. Trading Porter for LaVine might look good on paper, but in practice, it could disrupt the Nuggets’ chemistry.
While the idea of adding LaVine to the Nuggets is intriguing, it might not be the solution to their problems. Denver took a step back this season, and it’s unlikely that LaVine is the answer to getting them back to championship contention.
