NBA Trade Rumors: Blazers could steal Zach LaVine away from Chicago?

Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine (Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine (Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports)

NBA Trade Rumors: According to a recent report, the Portland Trail Blazers could emerge as an offseason destination for Damian Lillard. 

After taking a step forward during the regular season, it was disappointing to see how it all ended for the Chicago Bulls in five games of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Heading into the offseason, the Bulls need to try and get better around their core. However, before they even attempt to do that, there’s one big task that they would need to take care of first – and that’s re-signing Zach LaVine, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

LaVine will likely have plenty of suitors during the offseason and could end up being the biggest free agent this summer if he heads into the offseason with an open mind.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Portland Trail Blazers could emerge as a landing spot for LaVine during the offseason. The Blazers are expected to have plenty of cap space to operate this summer and will be on the hunt in an attempt to find a second start to replace CJ McCollum next to Damian Lillard.

LaVine would be an interesting candidate for the Blazers even though many would not agree that he’s an ideal running mate for Lillard. Both are pretty ball-dominant players and need the ball in their heads to be effective.

However, especially in the new wave of the league and “super teams,” fit is not something that should hold a team back from chasing a star. In the modern NBA, you get star players and worry about making it work later.

If the Blazers can somehow land LaVine, it would be a great pivot for the team in their retooling. However, that could end up being more difficult than it seems. But that doesn’t mean Portland won’t attempt to make it happen.