GettyAnthony Davis, left, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers will go star shopping via trade this offseason. But in the NBA, that label can apply to a wide breadth of players, and recent developments beyond the team’s control could impact their plans.
However, the Lakers could have an ace up their sleeve: a trade target they know is available and with whom they already have an in.
Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine.
LaVine is a Klutch Sports Group client, as are Lakers stars LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt. He created a stir among fans when he was spotted approaching James and Davis at the agency’s pro day for its next wave of prospects, including Bronny James.
“Why was Zach LaVine with LeBron and AD,” BetMGM’s social team posted on X on May 22, including a meme of ESPN’s Brian Windhorst gesturing for emphasis.
Fans quickly noted the preexisting relationships between the three stars, and their partnerships with Klutch.
Some fans on social media had fun with the video and the idea of the trio playing together.
“See you fellas next year,” one fan wrote, posting a photoshopped image of the trio.
One fan attempted to read James’ lips in the video originally posted by Bleacher Reportas he spoke with LaVine, settling on “my dawg.”
Zach LaVine Comes With Injury Concerns
LaVine has been available for a trade for the better part of the last two years. But the Bulls’ previously hefty asking price has hindered their efforts to move him.
He comes with injury concerns as he hits Year 3 of a five-year, $215.1 million contract.
However, the two-time former All-Star could represent the ideal balance between cost to acquire in a trade and value on the court. And the Bulls could be desperate to move on after another lost season.
But LaVine could still face a challenging path to joining the Lakers in a trade.
“I think he [James] wants aggressiveness because that’s always his default,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick said on “The Rich Eisen Show” on May 17. “Now, ever since the Russell Westbrook trade didn’t work, LeBron has lost juice in Laker Land. He just has. They have not listened to him as much, and it’s funny because the narrative and the idea that Klutch Sports runs the Lakers just couldn’t be farther from the truth. A lot of times most times they are told no.”
The Lakers have ample trade assets in terms of players and draft capital. But a lack of available targets and a potential bargain price tag on a depressed player asset in LaVine could help the two sides finally align for a deal.
LeBron James Was in Favor of Adding Zach LaVine at Trade Deadline
James was in favor of acquiring LaVine at the trade deadline in February, The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and Jovan Buha wroteon February 14.But the Lakers focused elsewhere.
So the Bulls started trade talks with the Detroit Pistons. But LaVine shut it down for the season in February with surgery to address a foot injury.
There was speculation that the timing of the surgery – and even the decision to undergo the procedure – was to prevent that deal from going through.
However, the Bulls would prefer not to deal with the Lakers because of the presence of James, according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus.
“Their owner doesn’t want LeBron infringing upon Michael’s legacy,” Pincus told The Athletic’s Johan Buva on the May 21 episode of his “Buha’s Block” podcast. “The intel is that they’re just not gonna help LeBron.”
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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FAQs
The Lakers traded Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and the three first-round picks (2019, 2022 and 2025) to New Orleans for Davis in the summer of 2019.
Who did the Pelicans get for Anthony Davis? ›
Back in July 2019, the New Orleans Pelicans traded Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round draft picks.
Is LeBron James still on the Lakers? ›
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (/ləˈbrɒn/ lə-BRON; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
When did Anthony Davis go to the Lakers? ›
Davis was traded to the Lakers in 2019.
Is Anthony Davis a top 75 player? ›
A couple of years ago, the NBA celebrated its 75th anniversary, and the Association marked the occasion by naming its 75 greatest players of all time. One of the active players named to the list was the Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis.
What picks do the Lakers have in 2024? ›
LA's 2024 offseason is also, suddenly, looking bizarrely similar to its 2023 campaign in another key way, too. Per Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, a pre-draft tiebreaker has given the Lakers the No. 17 selection in this June's NBA draft. Incidentally, that's the same pick Los Angeles possessed last year, too.
Why did Davis leave the Pelicans? ›
His agent Rich Paul and Davis basically forced the Pelicans hand to trade them to Los Angeles to pair with LeBron James. In January 2019, Rich Paul told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Davis had no intention of signing the five-year $240 million super max to remain with New Orleans.
Who did LeBron trade for Anthony Davis? ›
The Lakers paid a steep price to partner Davis with LeBron James: sending Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and the picks -- including the No. 4 overall selection in Thursday's NBA draft -- to the Pelicans, sources said.
How did the Bulls get Lonzo Ball? ›
Chicago Bulls (2021–present)
On August 8, 2021, Ball was traded to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal, with the Pelicans receiving Tomáš Satoranský, Garrett Temple and draft picks. He signed a four-year, $85 million contract extension with the Bulls.
Who is the oldest player in the NBA? ›
The oldest active player is LeBron James, who is currently 39 years, 172 days old. The youngest active player in the NBA is Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson, the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, who was born on December 17, 2004.
USC's Bronny James declares for 2024 NBA Draft, enters NCAA transfer portal. Ahead of the draft combine, NBA teams were informed that James had been medically cleared to be drafted. That allowed him to participate in the combine, where he was able to showcase his athleticism as a 6-foot-4, 210-pound guard.
Who has the most rings in the NBA? ›
The Boston Celtics lead the way in NBA lore with 18 championships, the most recent coming in 2024.
How tall was Anthony Davis at 14? ›
At the age of 14, Anthony Davis stood at a modest height, barely reaching six feet. He was known as a smaller player on the basketball court, often found maneuvering around the perimeter and taking short-distance three-point shots.
Who is number 3 on the Lakers? ›
How did the Lakers get the #1 pick in the 1982 draft? ›
The Lakers ended up with the first overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft as the result of a trade with Cleveland midway through the 1979-80 season, when the Lakers had sent Don Ford and a 1980 first-round pick (eventually Chad Kinch) to the Cavaliers for Butch Lee and their 1982 selection.
What number draft pick was Anthony Davis? ›
Anthony Davis was selected first by the New Orleans Hornets. Bradley Beal was selected third by the Washington Wizards. Damian Lillard was selected sixth by the Portland Trail Blazers. Andre Drummond was selected ninth by the Detroit Pistons.
What did the Lakers get for Brandon Ingram? ›
The New Orleans Pelicans have completed a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards, acquiring guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, forward Brandon Ingram, the draft rights to the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, De'Andre Hunter, and two future first round draft picks, in exchange for ...
What are the Lakers trade rumors? ›
Lakers have 'discussed internally' possibility of trading for Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young in offseason. While the trade deadline nears, the Lakers are not only contemplating a short-term move but also potential long-term splashes for Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young.
