NBA Trade Rumors: 2 Surprising teams express interest in acquiring Zach LaVine

NBA Trade Rumors: Two surprising teams have reportedly expressed interest in Zach LaVine. 

Around the 2023 NBA Draft, it was rumored that the Chicago Bulls were gauging the trade interest of Zach LaVine around the league. However, as you would expect, nothing of a tangible sort materialized. That was that and some of the bigger names took a grappling hold of the headlines – such as Damian Lillard and James Harden.

Nevertheless, less than a few weeks after the NBA Draft and the start of free agency, it seems that the whispers surrounding LaVine’s potential availability have not quieted down.

According to a recent report, two surprising teams – the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers (of all teams) have registered exploratory interest in LaVine.

As you would expect, none of those two teams gained any traction on the talks but it’s an interesting tidbit nonetheless.

Which team would make the most sense for Zach LaVine?

The Sixers registering interest in LaVine makes a ton of sense. There’s a sense that they’re going to trade James Harden (at his request) by the start of the season and they’re going to need to find a star that can come in and help Joel Embiid. If not, that seems like a situation that can get ugly fast.

Considering the Sixers have been relatively quiet so far this offseason, you can’t help but wonder if Daryl Morey has something up his sleeve. This is just the type of quiet difference-making move that he would make in order to save the Sixers from potential mediocrity in the Eastern Conference.

The Blazers’ interest is actually funny. After passing on making a win-now move before or at the NBA Draft in order to sway Lillard to stay, we’re supposed to believe that Portland could make that move now (after Lillard’s trade request)?

There’s just something fundamentally off about that.

Maybe this is a ploy to try to get Lillard to move off his trade demand. I simply don’t see it. I think the bigger point is what’s most important here.

It’s not just that the Sixers or Blazers could emerge as a possible landing spot for Lillard. It’s the fact that the Bulls are still accepting trade calls for LaVine.

Heading into the lull after free agency, it’s just something else to think about. Maybe Harden and Lillard aren’t the only big names that will be traded this offseason after all?