Possible Los Angeles Lakers Trade Targets This NBA Season | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Current salary: $43 million
Remaining contract: $137 million/three years (player option on final season)
Trade kicker: 15 percent (additional $6.2 million for 2024-25 and 2025-26)

The Bulls moved on from their underperforming core this summer, sending Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder and DeMar DeRozan (via sign-and-trade) to the Sacramento Kings. Multiple sources say the team is eager to move LaVine’s big contract.

LaVine, 29, is a two-time All-Star who played at UCLA, but knee and foot injuries have limited his availability. He’s a talented scorer and a 38.2 percent career three-pointer, but a marginal defender with just four postseason games played in 10 years.

His higher salary, before the trade kicker is considered, illustrates how difficult the moves will be for the Lakers this year. The franchise must spend more in salary than it takes back, while having room to fill the roster with the required minimum of 14 players.

For example, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Christian Wood would be enough to land LaVine (assuming he’s willing to part with his trade kicker; which is reportedly a must in any deal with the Lakers) – but that would be extremely difficult to execute before the season, as LA would struggle to stay under a second hard cap and return to 14 standard contracts.

A more feasible offseason deal (given the financial constraints) would focus on Rui Hachimura and Russell. But would the Lakers retain enough depth to win, especially given LaVine’s injury history?

Advantages: The Lakers shouldn’t have to send draft compensation to Chicago for LaVine. When healthy, LaVine is exceptionally talented.

Disadvantages: Many around the league are wondering if LaVine will fully regain his form. Financial constraints this season and next will make it difficult to add to the rest of the roster.

Alternative: The Lakers could be interested in Nikola Vučević.