Getty Zach LaVine
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for any possible way to become a title contender, perhaps dealing for Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine. However, the Sixers aren’t as interested in LaVine as they previously were, according to multiple reports.
Substack’s Marc Stein wrote on June 22 that “league sources say Philadelphia continues to have little interest in LaVine.” And HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto supported Stein’s reporting, adding on June 24 that the Sixers had cooled off on a potential LaVine trade once the Bulls traded away Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey on June 21.
“While Philadelphia was also linked to a potential trade for Bulls guard Zach LaVine, the 76ers have less interest in taking on the remaining $138 million on his contract with Alex Caruso no longer able to be attached in trade talks, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
Acquiring Caruso, a former NBA champ and multiple All-Defense team honoree, along with LaVine could have raised the Sixers’ ceiling knowing what they offer as teammates.
However, Stein wrote that even with Caruso still in the picture, it would’ve been difficult to orchestrate a LaVine trade.
“The Bulls, remember, had trouble generating a market for LaVine when they could have attached Caruso to trade constructions,” he wrote. “That option, obviously, no longer exists.”
Sixers Among Teams Named as Zach LaVine Suitors
Scotto’s report followed a report from NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, who had named the Sixers among the teams that discussed a trade with the Bulls regarding LaVine.
“Sources said [Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas] Karnišovas has floated as many as 15 proposals centered on the two-time All-Star guard to various teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers,” Johnson wrote in a June 20 story.
He then added another report that same day indicating that the Sixers were interested in LaVine.
At the time, however, the Bulls still had Caruso on the team.
Now, the most likely destination for LaVine is the Kings, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
“If there’s any suitor for LaVine that seems most likely at this juncture, it would be the Kings,” Fischer wrote on June 21. “Sacramento remains active in exploring trade opportunities for Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter, league sources told Yahoo Sports, with Huerter receiving a healthy amount of external interest.”
Insider Downplayed Sixers’ Interest in Zach LaVine
Meanwhile, Stein wrote that the Jazz are likely not a suitor.
“I have likewise been advised to dismiss Utah’s reported interest,” he wrote.
Even if the Sixers’ plans fall through, taking on LaVine and his deal would be a big risk that may not be worth taking. For all the playoff failures the Sixers have experienced since 2018, LaVine would not make them better in that regard.
“LaVine remains merely a backup option for the Sixers, sources said, but not a player whom Philadelphia truly covets with the team’s ocean of cap space, Fischer wrote.
LaVine, 29, regressed in his 11th year in the league, scoring 19.3 points per game (over 5 points below his average over the preceding five seasons). However, his rebounds were up and his assists were consistent with his career average. He also appeared in only 25 games after undergoing season-ending injury on his right foot.