Zach LaVine Trade Rumors: Raptors to Have ‘Some Level of Interest’ in Bulls Star

The Toronto Raptors could be planning to make a move for Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine this winter.

The Raptors have “expect to have some level of interest” in LaVine, The Athletic’s Shams Charania said Friday on Bally Sports’ “The Rally.”

Charania also named the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers as teams with a potential interest in LaVine.

Most teams interested in major trades will have to wait until December 15, when many free agents signed this summer become trade eligible.

LaVine is so far this season averaging 21.7 points, 3.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 12 starts.

The two-time All-Star is in the second season of a five-year contract that runs until 2026 with a player option through 2027.

Charania’s mention of the 76ers as a potential suitor contradicts a Wednesday report from NBA insider Marc Stein, who said the Sixers are less likely than teams with “a clearer need for an offensive infusion” to pursue LaVine.

The Raptors have become one of those teams as they struggle to replace All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet. Through 11 games, the Raptors rank among the five lowest-scoring teams in the NBA with an average of 108.5 points per game.

Charania described the Raptors’ ideal situation as acquiring LaVine while keeping current stars like Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby.

That might be difficult given what the Bulls were asking for when they discussed a potential LaVine trade with “several teams” over the offseason, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.

Fischer reported the Bulls asked for “far above” the return the Washington Wizards got for Bradley Beal, which included a top-ten pick, four first-round pick swaps and Chris Paul.

After the Bulls began the season with just four wins in their first 12 games, Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported for The Athletic that both LaVine and the Bulls are interested in exploring a trade.

According to Fischer, LaVine “does not view this Bulls roster as competitive enough to turn any type of contending corner in the East” and “is also ready to play under a different head coach than Billy Donovan,” who signed an extension during the 2022 offseason.

If the Raptors make a move, LaVine could as soon as December be playing under first-year coach Darko Rajaković instead.