Damian Lillard’s relationship with Bulls’ Zach LaVine could fuel trade

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The Chicago Bulls have put themselves in a tough spot. They went all in two years ago, trading for Nikola Vucevic and signing DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso the following summer. And while they made the playoffs in Year 1 with that core, they were eliminated in the first round, and this past year, they were bounced in the Play-In Tournament.

Now, they face the harsh reality that their current core isn’t good enough to win a title. Injuries have gotten in the way, but that can’t be used as an excuse anymore. Chicago needs to make some tough choices, and that may involve trading one (or both) of their star players.

Luckily for the Bulls, some interested teams could be looking to make trades this summer. One of which, the Portland Trail Blazers, has a player at the helm who’s very close with Zach LaVine.

Chicago Bulls trade rumors: Damian Lillard’s connection to Zach LaVine

As relayed by KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has a strong relationship with LaVine, as they both played for Team USA.

“One league source told NBC Sports Chicago that if the Trail Blazers went this route, they would be focused on more defensive-minded, two-way players,” Johnson wrote. “Lillard does have strong relationships with both LaVine and DeRozan, the former of whom he played with at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. So stay tuned.”

As noted, Lillard is also close with DeRozan, so that could come into play as well.

Chicago Bulls trade rumors: Trail Blazers looking to trade third pick

According to Zach Lowe of Bleacher Report, the Trail Blazers are looking to trade the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft with the goal of putting a championship-caliber team around Lillard.

“The Blazers moving up from No. 5 to No. 3 raised eyebrows all over the league right away,” wrote Lowe. “The Blazers could of course keep that pick, but rival executives expect them to explore the kind of veteran help that pick — plus other players — might fetch for Damian Lillard. (Executives also expect the Blazers to re-sign Jerami Grant.) The No. 3 pick by itself won’t net a game-changing veteran. What might the…

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Author : Bulls Wire

Publish date : 2023-05-20 19:00:06

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