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While the Los Angeles Lakers seem like a fit for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, the team has indicated “hesitancy” when it comes to taking on his contract, per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
According to Fischer, the Lakers are reluctant to trade for LaVine because of the weighty four years and nearly $180 million left on his contract.
“The market for Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine still has been quiet, as interested teams remain reluctant to absorb the four seasons and roughly $180 million remaining on his contract,” Fischer wrote. “LaVine is trending toward a return Friday from a weeks-long absence due to right foot inflammation. Perhaps a strong return to play, with the defensive effort he once showed for Team USA that intrigued NBA evaluators, could add some momentum for a LaVine deal. The struggling Lakers do forecast as the most sensible landing spot for the 28-year-old former All-Star, even though Los Angeles, too, has so far indicated a hesitancy to take on LaVine’s money, sources said.”
LaVine will make his return to the court Friday night after missing more than a month of basketball with a foot injury. In the 18 games he has played this season, LaVine has put up 21 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
LaVine, who has earned two All-Star nods in his career, could be the piece the Lakers need if they are willing to take on his contract. He would provide the Lakers with another scoring option, taking some of the load off of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and he has proved himself as a solid defender in the past.
LaVine’s role would likely be different than it is in Chicago, where he is one of the two main scoring options alongside DeMar DeRozan, but if he would be willing to take a backseat to the Lakers’ stars, it could mean making his first deep postseason run.
The Lakers have struggled early this season after a Western Conference Finals run a season ago. Los Angeles currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference at 17-18, and it needs a spark heading into the second half of the season.
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