The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, according to sources. However, it is unknown whether or not Lakers G.M. Rob Pelinka will negotiate a deal for the two-time All-Star prior to the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Of course, LaVine could be one of the team’s offseason targets. “The name that’s become more interesting to me as this season has gone on and it’s become clearer and clearer that the Bulls are not going to get it together is LaVine,” said ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Lakers have 10th-best odds to win the championship. A few sportsbooks are giving the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies greater odds.

The Bulls would accept Russell Westbrook, the 2027 and 2029 FRP from the Lakers for Zach LaVine, according to Zach Lowe and Bobby Marks. pic.twitter.com/mHjza5fMB2

— Major Sports Alerts (@sports___alerts) January 26, 2023

“I know there has been some thought about with people around the Lakers as a potential trade slash ‘that’s kind of our cap space acquisition,’” Lowe said of LaVine.

In July, the UCLA product signed a five-year, $215.16 million contract extension with the Bulls. LaVine ‘s deal includes a 15% trade bonus and a $48,967,380 player option for the 2026-27 season.

Lakers could pursue Bulls guard Zach LaVine before the Feb. 9 trade deadline or this offseason

If the Lakers pursue LaVine over the next couple of weeks, their trade package will probably not be ideal to impress the Bulls. Los Angeles has only two first-round draft picks (2027, 2029) for the rest of the decade. It would be absurd for Pelinka to surrender both first-rounders and a superstar for LaVine.

Last week, the Lakers traded Kendrick Nunn, a 2023 second-round draft pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 second-rounder to the Washington Wizards for Rui Hachimura.

For Chicago to give up LaVine, the front office would demand either Russell Westbrook or Anthony Davis in return. The Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals on the backs of Davis and LeBron James. Though, the four-time All-NBA member has struggled to stay healthy these past three years.

Zach Lowe’s trade idea during the most recent episode of his podcast

Lakers get:

⁃ Zach Lavine

Bulls get:

⁃ Russell Westbrook
⁃ two 1st round draft picks (“one unprotected and the second one has the most limited possible protections that’s allowable under NBA rules”)

— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) January 25, 2023

Beyond the halfway mark this season, Davis has made only 26 appearances. The 11-year veteran is dealing with a fractured bone spur and a right foot stress reaction. Davis played just 40 games last season as well. Lakers coach Darvin Ham is having Westbrook come off the bench this season, and at least Westbrook is consistently healthy.

The same cannot be said about Davis. While the Lakers center is a more dominant rebounder than LaVine, the Bulls guard is a better outside shooter. Through 44 starts this season, LaVine is averaging 23.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Plus, he’s shooting 45.8% from the field and 37.3% outside the arc.

All-star weekend for the 2022-23 season will start on 2/17 and will conclude on 2/19. This will be the 72nd annual event that fans and players look forward to every year. It’s a chance for players to relax and enjoy a weekend with their family and friends. As the game gets closer, the league continues to watch until LeBron James break the all-time scoring record. With his 19th all-star selection announced yesterday, he tied another Laker legend for most all-star bids in a career. 

Being chosen to play in the all-star game is special and getting to be a starter or captain is even more humbling. For James, this is his 19th selection and he could be the first player to make an appearance in 19 different games. James was announced as one of the captains and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was announced as a captain as well.

⭐️ THE 2023 NBA ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/9NXxjaYfW0

— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2023

NBA announces the starters for the 2022-23 all-star game

This will be the sixth year in a row that the all-star game is using captains to pick the teams. LeBron is 5-0 every time he’s been a captain and gotten to pick his squad. There’s a wrinkle in how the teams are going to be picked this season. Teams will be selected live in a pre-game segment shortly before the all-star game begins. A new format the league is trying out this season.

Your 2022-23 all-star game starters are:

Eastern Conference

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Captain 
• Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) 
• Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) 
• Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) 
• Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets) 

Western Conference 

• LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Captain 
• Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
• Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
• Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)

James has been a captain of the all-star game five-times, but this will also be Antetokounmpo’s third time doing it in his career. There were some rumbles on social media saying that Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was snubbed out of an starting spot. He’s the NBA’s second-highest scorer with (33.4) points per game.

Reserves for the all-star game will be announced on 2/2. Those who will likely earn a selection for the game are Damian Lillard, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to name a few. The 72nd annual all-star game will tip off at 8:00pm on Sunday 2/19 and coverage will begin on TNT at 6:00pm.

Just last night, Luka Doncic was once again named an all-star starter in his young career. The Mavericks had a matchup vs the Suns on the road last night, but Doncic exited the game in the first quarter after logging just three minutes. He accidently stepped on the foot of Phoenix’s Mikal Bridges and began to walk with a limp afterwards. It’s always a scary feeling when the team franchise cornerstone has to leave the game. 

Even without Doncic last night, the Mavs were able to get a 99-95 win on the road backed by Spender Dinwiddie’s 36 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists in the game. Luckily for Dallas, they also received some good news the tests on Doncic’s ankle came back negative.

That’s a good sign moving forward for the Mavs. Texas Sports Betting sites have the Mavericks at (+2800) to win the Finals this season.

Luka Doncic is heading to the locker room after hurting his left ankle 🙏pic.twitter.com/IULzyJPdQP

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 27, 2023

Dallas are optimistic that this was not a serious injury for Luka Doncic

You could seen Doncic grimacing right after he injured his ankle and he checked out of the game shortly after and did not return for the contest. Technically Doncic did play last night, but in games he hasn’t appeared in this season the Mavs are 0-5.

Doncic is an MVP candidate and he’s a huge piece in making there offense run smoothly and helps spread the floor for his teammates. He’s the type of player that can attract two-to-three players when he drives to the basket and that’s why you see him do all these flashy passes to hit hos teammates for wide open shots.

For the 2022-23 season, Doncic is averaging (33.0) points, (8.9) rebounds, and (8.4) assists per game. After the game head coach Jason Kidd spoke to the media and said their superstar was in “good spirits” as the tests on his ankle were negative. Christian Wood will remain out for the Mavs for another week with a fractured left thumb.