Trade Ideas to Boost Offense of 5 NBA Playoff Contenders | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Golden State Warriors receive: Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls receive: Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, Andrew Wiggins, Atlanta’s 2026 second-round pick, Atlanta’s 2028 second-round pick

Another shot maker who can stretch the defense far beyond the arc from the start, but not need Dominating the ball is the ideal goal for the Warriors.

LaVine fits that bill just fine. His defense remains shaky and he’s more of a reactive passer than a true creator, but his scoring ability is undeniable.

Last year, his catch-and-shoot efficiency from downtown declined. The sample size is small enough to ignore it. He’s ranked in the 87th percentile or better in spot-up efficiency over the past four seasons, according to the BBall Index. He’s also finished outside the 83rd percentile in pull-up three-point shot-making efficiency only once in that same span.

Certain suitors will be turned off by his contract. The Warriors may be one of them. LaVine is getting about $138 million over the next three years. This package is nearly a dollar-for-dollar match, so the 2024-25 payroll isn’t an issue. But his price is something they’ll have to reconcile with going forward as they prepare to pay Jonathan Kuminga and potentially Moses Moody.

My professional advice: You’ve got Stephen Curry. Make the deal now, improve your immediate position in the Western Conference, and figure out the financial logistics later.

Whether LaVine’s value has fallen enough to make Chicago agree to secondaries and long-term cap relief is debatable. Or maybe not. LaVine would likely be on another team if there was a market for his services. And contract.

Wiggins is far from a perfect player, but the Bulls aren’t exactly drowning in wings. His contract is the same length as LaVine’s but costs nearly $20 million less per year.

Chicago could push to extend the deal and bring in Moses Moody. Golden State should push right away. Moody is essential to fill the wing minutes without Wiggins, and again, what other team will offer more for LaVine?