The Los Angeles Lakers might become trading partners with the Chicago Bulls in the coming weeks.
The Lakers would benefit from adding a third offensive star to take some pressure off LeBron James and Anthony Davis, particularly during the marathon of the regular season.
Chicago's Zach LaVine could be that star, and LaVine's agent happens to be Klutch Sports Group's Rich Paul, one of LeBron's closest friends.
Could James push the Lakers to work with Paul on a LaVine deal? LeBron has another motive besides adding a star that might drive the trade.
The Lakers have a full depth chart of ball handlers ahead of Bronny James. If guys like D'Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent were sent to Chicago in a deal for LaVine, Bronny James's opportunities for playing time would skyrocket.
That would make LeBron happy, would it not?
It just so happens that the financially plausible package to acquire LaVine for the Lakers would be Russell, Vincent, and Rui Hachimura.
The Bulls would do this trade. They'd be finally shedding LaVine's contract (three years remaining) in exchange for Russell's expiring and a pair of two-year deals in Vincent and Hachimura.
The Lakers would get their third star, while James and Klutch Sports Group would pretend not to have placed personal preference over business.
Everyone would win in this trade, including the NBA. The Lakers would immediately become more exciting, and the Bulls would be closer to tanking (which should be their primary objective in 2025).
Make it happen!
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