Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine is attracting interest from multiple teams after a slow start to his current season. Reports suggest that the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers are eager to acquire LaVine. Trade rumors have surrounded LaVine and his fellow Bulls teammates, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, for several seasons now, but the Bulls have held onto their stars, despite a fractured locker room last year. LaVine, now in his seventh season, signed a five-year contract extension with the Bulls worth $215 million ahead of last season. However, the Bulls have continued to struggle, with LaVine’s performance noticeably declining as a result.
The 76ers, fresh off a trade that saw James Harden join the Los Angeles Clippers, are in need of a new shooting guard following the injury to Kelly Oubre Jr. NBC Sports Philadelphia suggested that the 76ers may be better off targeting the Bulls’ Alex Caruso instead of LaVine due to his more favorable contract terms. The Los Angeles Lakers are also interested in LaVine, as are the Miami Heat, although it seems unlikely that a deal will come to fruition. The Heat, led by Pat Riley, have a history of making backroom deals, but they appear cautious about trading for LaVine.
Currently, the Bulls are the underdogs in the betting realm, with long shot odds for winning the Central Division, making the playoffs, or clinching the NBA championship. Despite their slow start, the Bulls are looking for redemption during their upcoming games, and betting lines could shift in their favor if they can turn things around.
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