Zach LaVine is one of the best free agents that could be available this summer, and surprise, surprise, the Lakers are said to be really starting to sniff.
We’re still weeks away from actually starting the NBA offseason, but talks about free agency have apparently been rampant at the NBA Draft Combine this week, with several decision makers in the same rooms. And so it comes as no surprise that the name Zach Lavigne comes up quite often.
to me KC Johnson of NBC Sports ChicagoLavigne’s suitors from outside Chicago include at least four teams:
What is certain is that league gossip throughout this week has tied LaVine to at least four teams — the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, Hawks — and there is almost certainly more to follow.
In each of these cases, some other movement may need to be worked on to create the maximum room it will take to sign LaVine. This can include signing and trading with Chicago or sending some pieces to a third party to free up space.
While Lakers fans might be excited to hear their team tied for LaVine, it looks like they have, by far, the most complicated path to actually getting it.
How can the Lakers bear the signature of Zach Lavigne?
Signing LaVine would almost certainly mean liquidating Russell Westbrook’s salary from their books. Finding a business suitor for him may be a formidable challenge after his struggle this year, but finding one who can accommodate his contract in a rooftop space without returning comparable salaries will be even more difficult.
There is no way the bulls would want to reclaim Westbrook in sign and circulation. And while the Lakers presumably have a permanent offer from the Rockets to send Westbrook for John Wall, that puts them in pretty much the same position – an exorbitantly large contract deal that no one else would want.
Perhaps the easiest path to achieve this is the most likely – a more comprehensive reset towards youth that involves trading Anthony Davis or LeBron James or both. So, yes, it might be fun to fantasize about Zach LaVine at the Lakers but there are plenty of dominos to set up and drop first.
[ad_2]
