SUMMARY
- Amidst trade rumors, a video of Zach LaVine expressing his dream of playing alongside LeBron James has resurfaced.
- Los Angeles Lakers, currently struggling with a 19-20 record, are at the center of NBA trade rumors, with players like Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray being linked.
Amid circulating trade rumors, an old video of Chicago Bulls’ star Zach LaVine has resurfaced, sparking discussions about his potential future with the Los Angeles Lakers. This clip is from a February 2020 episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” during which LaVine expressed his desire to play alongside LeBron James.
During the interview, LaVine answered then-host Max Kellerman’s question about his preferred teammate. “I would love to go out there and play with a dude like LeBron James,” LaVine stated. He also expressed his interest in playing with a skilled point guard or a dominant big man, which has sparked rumors, especially considering the Lakers’ current roster.
Lavine deadass sat up there with his fan base behind him and publicly said he wanted to play with LeBron & AD
LMFAOOO 💀😭 https://t.co/RHJ6ZIj4ps
— ⁶ (@SpeakContext) January 12, 2024
This video comes at a time when the NBA trade rumors are in full pace, with the Los Angeles Lakers, currently struggling with a 19-20 record at the center of these discussions. However, despite the growing rumors and LaVine’s interest, the possibility of such a move remains uncertain. The Chicago Bulls, currently holding an 18-22 record, are unlikely to trade LaVine easily unless they get something valuable in return.
LaVine, who is under a five-year, $215 million max contract that extends the 2026-27 season, averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season. His potential addition to the Lakers could be a big move, but there are issues involved because of his massive contract.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily linked to both Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly exploring options in the trade market to improve their roster. The team’s focus seems to be on adding speed and quickness in the backcourt, as well as a strong point-of-attack defender. This search has led them to be linked with both Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls and Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks.
Dejounte Murray, averaging 21.1 points and 5.0 assists per game, and hitting 39.4% of his three-point attempts this season, could be a big addition to the Lakers. Murray made the All-Defensive Second Team during the 2017-18 season and maintains a career average of 1.4 steals per game.
#Lakers continue to be linked to Dejounte Murray in trade talks.https://t.co/x9Gon09DBi pic.twitter.com/Y92m5lyHG4
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) January 13, 2024
However, the Lakers face challenges in acquiring either player. Some sources are saying that the Lakers will go aggressive behind Murray, while some suggest that the Atlanta Hawks are comfortable with retaining him until the offseason. The Lakers’ hesitation to give up on Austin Reaves further complicates the potential deal.
As the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches, the Lakers’ decisions and trade possibilities remain a hot topic in rumors. Whether they go for LaVine, Murray, or another player, the Lakers are surely looking for a big roster upgrade to improve their chances in the highly competitive Western Conference.