<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-sticking-points-in-nuggets-bulls-zach-lavine-trade-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Sticking points in Nuggets-Bulls Zach LaVine trade talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NBA-rumors-Sticking-points-in-Nuggets-Bulls-Zach-LaVine-trade-talks.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Sticking points in Nuggets-Bulls Zach LaVine trade talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T07:47:39-08:00">December 23rd, 7:47am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T13:48:31-08:00">December 23rd, 1:48pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Denver <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-trade-proposal-lands-zach-lavine-3-team-deal-bulls">Nuggets are trying to make improvements</a> to their team, and one name that continues to come up is Zach LaVine. Even though the Nuggets may want LaVine, there’s something that’s keeping the Chicago Bulls from <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-all-my-latest-nba-trade?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=153497921&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">making the trade</a>, according to Marc Stein.</p><p>“One potential trade iteration to surface as part of Denver’s confirmed interest in Chicago’s Zach LaVine is a swap that would bring LaVine and Torrey Craig to the Nuggets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji,” Stein wrote. “Yet the Bulls, league sources say, have balked at Nnaji’s inclusion in such a trade. This is Year 1 of a four-year, $32 million contract for Nnaji that, while descending in value annually, runs through 2027-28.</p><p>“Denver has also weighed whether it is wiser to trade Porter for two players if the Nuggets indeed decided between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline that they are prepared to part with an organizational favorite.”</p><p>Porter has been a big part of the Nuggets’ success, as he’s a plus shooter and rebounder. If <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-fit-with-nuggets-eye-opening-take-amid-trade-rumors">they trade Porter for LaVine</a>, they’ll miss some of his skills, but they’ll get in return someone who can create his own shot, similar to Jamal Murray.</p><h2>Nuggets want to improve their roster</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine_c7e252.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>At 15-11 and fifth in the Western Conference, the Nuggets believe that they can improve their roster to be better this season. After the turnaround of their roster the past two years, they’re looking to make a big splash, but it’s uncertain if they’ll actually do something.</p><p>The Nuggets still have Nikola Jokic, one of the best players in the world who can do everything on the court. Jamal Murray has struggled throughout the season, but when he gets into a rhythm, it’s hard to stop him offensively. The bench is the one area that the Nuggets should look to improve, but that’s probably where a trade comes into place.</p><p>Right now, it seems like the Nuggets want to improve their starting lineup, and Zach LaVine is one of the players that they want. With what the Nuggets like to do on offense, it’s hard to see how LaVine would fit in unless he’s going to play the Michael Porter Jr. role, but in that case, you may as well keep him. The team may be better just trying to improve the bench, but it’ll be interesting to see which players may be available around the league to help them in that department.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Sticking points in Nuggets-Bulls Zach LaVine trade talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/ranking-best-zach-lavine-trade-destinations-bulls-seek-rebuild');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ranking best Zach LaVine trade destinations as Bulls seek rebuild');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ranking-best-Zach-LaVine-trade-destinations-as-Bulls-seek-rebuild.jpg"></figure><h1>Ranking best Zach LaVine trade destinations as Bulls seek rebuild</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T18:13:11-08:00">December 22nd, 6:13pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T18:13:11-08:00">December 22nd, 6:13pm</time><address><a>Scotty White</a>Scotty White is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has been in the sports journalism industry since 2020. He has covered athletics at the University of Michigan and is now serving as an Associate Editor, Chicago Bulls beat writer, and Michigan football reporter at ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Bulls are still in the middle of their rebuild, and it is taking longer than fans were hoping. This season is off to a rough start once again, and it’s clear that Chicago doesn’t have a team that is going to compete for a championship. The Bulls still need to make some moves to get where they want to be, and a player to watch in that regard is Zach LaVine.</p><p>Last season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/latest-jimmy-butler-zach-lavine-nba-trade-rumors-siegels-scoop">trade rumors involving Zach LaVine</a> were loud, and it seemed like a certainty that he would be traded before the deadline. However, injuries were a major issue for LaVine last year, and he ended up needing season-ending surgery. That ended the trade discussions, but they resumed in the offseason.</p><p>LaVine obviously stayed with the Bulls into this season, but it once again seems like he could be departing soon via a trade. LaVine is by far the highest-paid player on this Bulls team, so Chicago could definitely benefit from trading away their star.</p><p>So far on the season, LaVine is averaging 22.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 4.2 APG. Getting off to a strong start this year has been huge for both Zach LaVine and the Bulls. LaVine has shown that he can still be one of the better players in the league when he stays healthy, and he might be able to find a better fit via a trade to a team that can potentially make a run for the playoffs.</p><p>As for the Bulls, LaVine’s strong start is incredibly important as well as they can now get some good talent from trading their highest-paid player. They could’ve gotten some good talent last year as well, but LaVine has seemed to improve his draft stock since then.</p><p>We still have a couple months before the NBA trade deadline, but it definitely seems like <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-trade-proposal-lands-zach-lavine-3-team-deal-bulls">Zach LaVine could be someone heading to a new team</a>. Here are some potential teams to watch.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine.jpg"><figcaption>© Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h2><b>Los Angeles Lakers</b></h2><p>The Lakers are a team that have come up in trade rumors surrounding Zach LaVine. If the Bulls did agree to something with Los Angeles, it could be a great fit for everyone involved. The Bulls could get a good package of talent to pair with their young core, the Lakers would add another star and LaVine would get to compete for a playoff spot with LeBron James.</p><h2><b>Los Angeles Clippers</b></h2><p>The Clippers are another team to watch here, and for similar reasons as the Lakers. Both of the LA teams are vying for postseason runs this year, and another star on the roster would certainly be a big help, especially with how well Zach LaVine is playing. This is another one that all three parties would likely be in favor of.</p><h2><b>Detroit Pistons</b></h2><p>Another interesting destination would be the Pistons. Both of these teams have been down in recent years, but Detroit fans would love to see a season like the Bulls have had in recent years. Chicago has made the play-in tournament the past two years while the Pistons have been one of the worst teams in the league.</p><p>The Pistons have some good young guys that come over to the Bulls, and LaVine could help Detroit make a push for the postseason as he would be paired with former #1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. This might not be LaVine’s first choice, but it could be something to think about.</p><p>Right now, Zach LaVine’s contract is likely something that is getting in the way of a trade, but when we get closer to the February deadline, we will probably get some more clarity on which teams have the most interest.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ranking best Zach LaVine trade destinations as Bulls seek rebuild

Siegel’s Scoop: Unwrapping latest Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, NBA trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-zach-lavine-drops-defiant-tanking-stance-after-upset-win-vs-celtics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bulls’ Zach LaVine drops defiant tanking stance after upset win vs. Celtics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0Zach-LaVine-drops-defiant-tanking-stance-after-upset-win-vs.-Celtics0.jpg"></figure><h1>Bulls’ Zach LaVine drops defiant tanking stance after upset win vs. Celtics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T08:32:31-08:00">December 20th, 8:32am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T08:32:31-08:00">December 20th, 8:32am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The expectations surrounding the Chicago Bulls were low heading into the 2024-25 season. After all, the Bulls have already conceded the fact that they will be falling down the standings, embracing the future by trading Alex Caruso away for Josh Giddey and letting DeMar DeRozan go in free agency. But as long as he can help it, Zach LaVine isn’t just about to give up on the Bulls — leading the way for them in an incredible <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jaylen-brown-refs-postgame-rant-bulls-game">117-108 win over the reigning champion Boston Celtics</a> on Thursday.</p><p>LaVine led all scorers with 36 on the night, and he shot an incredible 11-19 from the field — showing that the Bulls can beat any team on any given night even <a href="https://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/1869950621782065640" rel="noopener">amid all the talk</a> of the team punting on the season so they could retain their top-10 protected pick that will be going to the San Antonio Spurs if they end up making to the playoffs.</p><p>“We’re a good team. We’re competitive. And we’re a resilient group. Players and coaches never tank,” LaVine said following the Bulls’ win over the Celtics, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zach LaVine: “We’re a good team. We’re competitive. And we’re a resilient group.”</p><p>LaVine told me, if left intact, he believes Bulls can make playoffs</p><p>That would mean Bulls’ first-round pick, which is top-10 protected, would go to Spurs</p><p>Zach: “Players and coaches never tank.”</p><p>— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/1869950621782065640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Indeed, as long as the Bulls have the likes of LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White on the roster, it will be difficult for them to be as bad as the league’s worst teams. They may not have the talent to keep up with the best of the NBA on a nightly basis, but Chicago has shown that they cannot be underestimated — just ask the Celtics.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-most-pleasant-surprise-early-2024-25-season">Bulls fans will be wondering</a> whether or not remaining semi-competitive is what’s best for the future of the team. As presently constructed, the Bulls will find it difficult to escape the middle of the pack. However, for as long as LaVine is on the team, don’t expect the Bulls to be an easy win for the opposition anytime soon.</p><h2><b>Zach LaVine and the Bulls’ fighting spirit lives on</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-guard-Zach-LaVine-shoots-against-Boston-Celtics-guard-Derrick-White-and-guard-Payton-Pritchard.jpg"><figcaption>© David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Those who are in the NBA made it to that level for a reason; they’re some of the most competitive people on the planet, and they won’t ever take kindly to losing. Thus, it’s disingenuous to implore the Bulls to simply give up, as they are in the business of winning ballgames, not lottery balls.</p><p>There is something admirable in the Bulls’ fighting spirit that they remain in the thick of the playoff hunt despite losing two crucial pieces of past rosters. And that won’t be changing anytime soon under the leadership of Zach LaVine as well as head coach Billy Donovan.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bulls’ Zach LaVine drops defiant tanking stance after upset win vs. Celtics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nuggets-trade-proposal-lands-zach-lavine-3-team-deal-bulls');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nuggets trade proposal lands Zach LaVine in 3-team deal with Bulls');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nuggets-trade-proposal-lands-Zach-LaVine-in-3-team-deal-with-Bulls.jpg"></figure><h1>Nuggets trade proposal lands Zach LaVine in 3-team deal with Bulls</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T19:28:11-08:00">December 19th, 7:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T19:28:11-08:00">December 19th, 7:28pm</time><address><a>Bobby Krivitsky</a>Bobby Krivitsky has covered the NBA for nearly a decade, working for Bleacher Report, Basketball Insiders, and as a beat reporter for Boston Celtics on SI. He also covered the NFL for Bleacher Report and was a national sports talk host for the SportsMap Radio Network.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Denver Nuggets <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6002502/2024/12/17/zach-lavine-trade-rumors-nuggets/" rel="noopener">seek offensive upgrades</a>, they’re eying Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine, per Sam Amick and Tony Jones of The Athletic.</p><p>A deal bringing LaVine to the “Mile High City” <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-michael-porter-jr-trade-nuggets-looking-improve">would spell the end of Michael Porter Jr.’s tenure</a> with the Nuggets. The former is a more potent three-level scorer. Plus, he has experience as the focal point of an offense and is a more skilled facilitator.</p><p>LaVine is generating 21.7 points and 4.7 assists per game and knocking down 42.8 percent of the 7.5 threes he’s hoisting. Porter is producing 18.5 points and 2.8 assists per contest while converting on 38.5 percent of his six attempts from behind the arc.</p><p>Denver might regret this swap, though. The Nuggets have a top-five offense, averaging 119.2 points per game. Their lack of balance and the need to upgrade their second unit are more pressing matters.</p><p>The 2022-23 NBA champions rank 15th in defensive rating, surrendering 112.9 points per 100 possessions. That <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=A&amp;sort=NET_RATING" rel="noopener">has dragged their net rating to</a> 13th (2.5), per NBA.com.</p><p>LaVine turns 30 in March, and he’s on the books for $46 million next season. He has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign, during which he’ll turn 32.</p><p>Porter is 26. He’s under contract for $38.3 million next season and $40.8 million for the 2026-27 campaign.</p><h2><b>A top team in the West could benefit if Bulls don’t want Michael Porter Jr.</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Nuggets-Michael-Porter-Jr.jpg"><figcaption>© Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>While the Nuggets and Bulls are talking trade, Porter’s next home might not be in the “Windy City.” If his injury history and contract turn off the Bulls, a third team willing to gamble on Michael Porter Jr. could reap the rewards for a small price.</p><p>Perhaps the Memphis Grizzlies, second in the Western Conference with an 18-9 record, would swoop in.</p><p>If Memphis wants to add the six-foot-ten sharpshooter, who’s developing into a more potent three-level scoring threat, they could send Chicago a package featuring Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar.</p><p>The Nuggets could also acquire Jake LaRavia with Zach LaVine while rerouting Zeke Nnaji to Chicago to help make the money work.</p><p>Maybe the Grizzlies aren’t interested in Porter or parting with some of the individuals mentioned, but it’s hard to envision that group fetching them a better return.</p><p>Maybe the Bulls don’t view offloading Zach LaVine’s contract as enough of a win. Memphis parting with draft capital to help get this done seems likely. Still, the latter could make out best in this trade.</p><p>Acquiring Porter would give Ja Morant another knockdown shooter to work alongside, one with championship experience. It’s a move that could help extend the Grizzlies’ stay in the postseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nuggets trade proposal lands Zach LaVine in 3-team deal with Bulls

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-nikola-vucevic-makes-zach-lavine-trade-quip-to-fan-nuggets-trolling');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nikola Vucevic makes Zach LaVine trade quip in response to fan’s Nuggets trolling');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-news-Nikola-Vucevic-makes-Zach-LaVine-trade-quip-in-response-to-fans-Nuggets-trolling.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Nikola Vucevic makes Zach LaVine trade quip in response to fan’s Nuggets trolling</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T11:28:10-08:00">December 19th, 11:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T11:28:10-08:00">December 19th, 11:28am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic humorously <a href="https://x.com/NikolaVucevic/status/1869594558033744127" rel="noopener">addressed</a> a trade rumor involving teammate Zach LaVine after a fan’s comment on X, formerly known as Twitter.</p><p>Vucevic had taken to the platform to share his disappointment with Ridley Scott’s sequel to Gladiator (2000), posting, “People that saw Gladiator 2, thoughts? I was pretty disappointed and I went in with low expectations already.”</p><p>A fan replied, “You should watch that movie in Denver!!! Heard it’s great there,” in an apparent reference to ongoing trade rumors linking LaVine to the Denver Nuggets.</p><p>In response, Vucevic quipped, “You’re thinking about Zach, this is not him,” humorously deflecting the trolling and indirectly referencing the speculation surrounding LaVine’s potential departure from the Chicago Bulls.</p><h2><b>Trade rumors swirl around Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine</b></h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-nuggets-targeting-zach-lavine-trade-to-pair-with-nikola-jokic">Zach LaVine, 29, has been at the center of trade discussions</a> recently, with the Denver Nuggets reportedly exploring options for the two-time All-Star. However, Vucevic’s own name has also emerged in trade speculation, with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-warriors-lakers-among-teams-nikola-vucevic-trade-interest">reports linking him to teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors</a>.</p><p>The 34-year-old Vucevic is enjoying a standout season, averaging 21.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His efficiency has been particularly noteworthy, as he is shooting a career-best 58.7% from the field and an impressive 47.5% from three-point range.</p><p>According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-what-bulls-want-nikola-vucevic-trade">Bulls are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Vucevic</a>, who is under contract for $20 million this season and $21.4 million next season.</p><h2><b>Trade deadline looms as Bulls’ face uncertain future</b></h2><p>The Bulls, currently sitting at 12-15, face mounting questions about their roster’s future as the February trade deadline approaches. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-fit-with-nuggets-eye-opening-take-amid-trade-rumors">LaVine’s potential fit with the Nuggets</a> has been a hot topic, but Vucevic’s high-level production and expiring contract have also made him an attractive option for contenders seeking frontcourt reinforcements.</p><p>While Vucevic’s lighthearted response to the fan’s comment brought humor to the trade chatter, his and LaVine’s futures in Chicago remain uncertain. With the Bulls reportedly open to retooling their roster, both players could find themselves wearing different jerseys by season’s end.</p><p>Meanwhile, teams are closely monitoring Vucevic and LaVine’s performances as trade discussions heat up, with their futures likely to influence the Chicago Bulls’ rebuild.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nikola Vucevic makes Zach LaVine trade quip in response to fan’s Nuggets trolling

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-zach-lavine-fit-with-nuggets-eye-opening-take-amid-trade-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Zach LaVine’s fit with Nuggets draws eye-opening take amid trade rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-news-Zach-LaVines-fit-with-Nuggets-draws-eye-opening-take-amid-trade-rumors.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Zach LaVine’s fit with Nuggets draws eye-opening take amid trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T10:09:23-08:00">December 19th, 10:09am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T10:09:23-08:00">December 19th, 10:09am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-nuggets-targeting-zach-lavine-trade-to-pair-with-nikola-jokic">Denver Nuggets have reportedly expressed interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine</a> as trade rumors swirl ahead of the February 6 deadline. LaVine, a two-time All-Star, has drawn attention for his scoring ability and potential fit within a Nuggets roster led by reigning MVP Nikola Jokić.</p><p>A Western Conference scout recently shared insights with The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry on how LaVine could integrate into Denver’s system, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6005819/2024/12/19/zach-lavine-bulls-nuggets-trade-value/" rel="noopener">stating</a>, “He probably needs to be in a different environment. There are not a lot of guys who can do what he does. I’ve always been a big fan, actually. Not as your No. 1 guy, not as your No. 2 guy, but as your No. 3 guy.”</p><h2><b>Zach LaVine’s potential fit with Nikola Jokic spark debate amid trade rumors</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine-8-gestures-after-a-three-point-basket-against-the-Memphis-Grizzlies.jpg"><figcaption>© David Banks-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>LaVine, 29, is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season while shooting an efficient 50.1% from the field and 42.8% from three-point range, despite the Bulls holding a 12-15 record. His best season came in 2020-21, when he averaged 27.4 points, five rebounds, and 4.9 assists, shooting 50.7% from the field and 41.9% from deep.</p><p>The scout emphasized that LaVine’s role in Denver would involve deferring to Jokić, whose playmaking elevates teammates. “He’s obviously going to have to defer,” the scout said. “But the thing about Jokić is he makes everybody better. I think (LaVine) will fit in fine. Jokić is so special, he makes guys better probably more than anybody in the entire league.”</p><p>Despite LaVine’s offensive prowess, concerns about his defense and his impact on winning persist. “There are a lot of naysayers, no doubt about it,” the scout acknowledged. “‘His defense is bad. He’s not a winning player, blah, blah, blah.’ You can make that argument: ‘He hasn’t really elevated the Bulls. So if he’s that good, why haven’t they been better?’ I think part of it is he just has too prominent of a role.”</p><p>LaVine’s eight-year tenure with the Bulls has <a href="https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/zach-lavine-record-with-bulls" rel="noopener">resulted in a 167-230 record</a>, according to StatsMuse. While he helped lead Chicago to the playoffs during the 2021-22 season alongside DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls were swept in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks.</p><h2><b>Nuggets face hurdles in potential LaVine trade, with Michael Porter Jr. as key asset for Bulls</b></h2><p>For the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-denver-perfect-zach-lavine-trade-offer-to-bulls">Nuggets, acquiring LaVine would come with challenges</a>. His current five-year, $215 million contract includes three years remaining and a player option for the 2026-27 season. Denver would likely need to include forward Michael Porter Jr. in any potential deal, as Porter’s $35.9 million salary is the team’s most significant trade asset.</p><p>Porter Jr., who is averaging 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists this season while shooting 51.2% from the field and 38.5% from three, is under contract for two additional years at $38.3 million and $40.8 million, respectively. The Nuggets’ limited draft capital would also complicate negotiations, leaving them with only pick swaps to offer in 2026 and 2031.</p><p>“You don’t want him as your No. 1 guy. If he’s your No. 3 guy, I think you’re ahead of the game,” the scout said of LaVine. “You’re not relying on him every single night.”</p><p>As the trade deadline approaches, LaVine’s future with the Bulls remains uncertain, but his potential fit alongside Jokić in Denver continues to draw attention.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Zach LaVine’s fit with Nuggets draws eye-opening take amid trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nuggets-news-denver-perfect-zach-lavine-trade-offer-to-bulls');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nuggets’ perfect Zach LaVine trade offer to Bulls');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nuggets-perfect-Zach-LaVine-trade-offer-to-Bulls.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Nuggets’ perfect Zach LaVine trade offer to Bulls</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T10:28:01-08:00">December 18th, 10:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T10:28:01-08:00">December 18th, 10:28am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Denver Nuggets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Denver Nuggets are reportedly exploring the trade market as they seek to bolster their roster for the 2024-25 NBA season. According to Tony Jones and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-nuggets-targeting-zach-lavine-trade-to-pair-with-nikola-jokic">Nuggets have shown interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine</a>.</p><p>“With the NBA’s trade window opening this past weekend, and with the trade deadline less than two months away, the Nuggets are canvassing the league in pursuit of a player who can offer significant help offensively, league sources tell The Athletic,” they reported.</p><p>The report also named LaVine among other notable offensive talents, including Washington’s Jordan Poole, Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, and Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas.</p><h2><b>Nuggets eye Zach LaVine to address rotation gaps amid uneven season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine-8-reacts-after-scoring-against-the-Boston-Celtics.jpg"><figcaption>© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Nuggets currently hold a 14-10 record, placing them fifth in the Western Conference. Despite a three-game winning streak, the team has struggled to regain the form that earned them an NBA title in 2023. Their 2023-24 campaign ended prematurely in the second round, where they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Key departures, including Bruce Brown in 2023 and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-mistake-nuggets-made-with-kentavious-caldwell-pope">Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this past offseason</a>, have left noticeable gaps in Denver’s rotation that the front office is now looking to address.</p><p>LaVine, a two-time All-Star, could provide the offensive boost the Nuggets desire. The 29-year-old guard is enjoying one of the most efficient seasons of his career, averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 50.1% from the field and 42.8% from three-point range. Importantly, he has played in 23 of the Bulls’ 27 games this season, showcasing improved durability after a career marked by injury concerns.</p><p>However, acquiring LaVine comes with <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/15365/zach-lavine" rel="noopener">financial challenges</a>. He is in the second year of a five-year, $215 million contract, with three years remaining and a player option for the 2026-27 season. He is earning $43 million this season, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-lonzo-ball-joins-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-on-bulls-trade-block"> Bulls, reportedly looking to offload his contract as part of their rebuilding efforts</a>, may see Denver as a viable trade partner.</p><h2><b>How a potential LaVine trade with the Bulls would look</b></h2><p>For the Nuggets to land Zach LaVine, a trade package centered around Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, and a 2031 first-round pick swap could be on the table. Porter Jr., who is on a five-year, $179 million deal, is earning $35.8 million this season, with his salary increasing to $40.8 million in 2026-27. The 25-year-old forward has been a critical part of Denver’s success, averaging 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 38.5% from three this season.</p><p>Nnaji, a promising young big man, is playing on a four-year, $32 million contract. He is earning $8.8 million this season, with a player option for 2026-27. Adding him to the trade could sweeten the deal for Chicago, which would also receive a favorable draft asset in the form of a pick swap.</p><p>The proposed deal could also see the Bulls include veteran forward Torrey Craig, currently in the final year of his contract worth $2.8 million. Craig, who played for the Nuggets from 2017 to 2020, was a key contributor to the core that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2020. Known for his defensive versatility and reliable outside shooting, Craig has provided valuable minutes this season, shooting 38.9% from three in six games. Last season, he maintained consistent accuracy, shooting 39.2% from deep in 53 games.</p><h2><b>February trade deadline looms as Nuggets and Bulls weigh blockbuster trade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nikola-Jokic-15-in-the-third-quarter-against-the-Los-Angeles-Clippers-at-Ball-Arena.jpg"><figcaption>© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>With the trade deadline set for February 6, both the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls face mounting pressure to finalize a potential deal that could reshape their respective futures. For the Nuggets, parting ways with Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji would undoubtedly be a tough pill to swallow, as both players have played pivotal roles in the team’s success in recent seasons. However, the addition of Zach LaVine could bolster Denver’s offense and elevate the team back into contention among the Western Conference’s elite, potentially reigniting the championship aspirations that have waned since their 2023 title run.</p><p>For the Bulls, trading LaVine would signal a significant step in their rebuilding efforts. Shedding his massive contract would free up valuable cap space, allowing Chicago to focus on retooling its roster with younger players and draft assets. Additionally, acquiring Porter Jr. and Nnaji could provide the Bulls with key pieces for their long-term plans, while a favorable draft pick swap would enhance their ability to build for the future.</p><p>As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Nuggets and Bulls as they navigate a potential blockbuster deal.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nuggets’ perfect Zach LaVine trade offer to Bulls

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-nuggets-targeting-zach-lavine-trade-to-pair-with-nikola-jokic');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Nuggets targeting Zach LaVine trade to pair with Nikola Jokic');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NBA-rumors-Nuggets-targeting-Zach-LaVine-trade-to-pair-with-Nikola-Jokic.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Nuggets targeting Zach LaVine trade to pair with Nikola Jokic</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-17T19:15:17-08:00">December 17th, 7:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T06:54:11-08:00">December 18th, 6:54am</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The 2024 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-nikola-jokic-critics-on-michael-malone">Denver Nuggets have been rather disappointing versus expectations</a>, right?</p><p>Now, sure, they aren’t the Philadelphia 76ers or some other poor squad that can’t seem to find a win despite adding incredible talent to their roster over the offseason, but after<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-mistake-nuggets-made-with-kentavious-caldwell-pope"> saying goodbye to Kardavious Caldwell-Pope</a> during the offseason, the Nuggets have been treading water in the Western Conference, clearly behind the top teams but not so bad that they could approach a rebuild.</p><p>Could the Nuggets catch fire and go on a run? Sure, but they might just need some help to get there, with the dynamic duo of Tony Jones and Sam Amick discussing some potential options the team could pursue based on their reporting.</p><p>One name to keep an eye on in the Mile High City? Zach LaVine, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6002502/2024/12/17/zach-lavine-trade-rumors-nuggets/" rel="noopener">highest-paid player</a> on the Chicago Bulls, has been on the block for what feels like two years now since the team low-key started to pursue a youth movement around players like Coby White and Josh Giddey.</p><p>“With the NBA’s trade window opening this past weekend, and with the trade deadline less than two months away, the Nuggets are canvassing the league in pursuit of a player who can offer significant help offensively, league sources tell <i>The Athletic</i>,” Tony Jones and Sam Amick wrote for The Athletic.</p><p>“As a result, the Nuggets have either expressed interest in or have had preliminary trade discussions on the following players: Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Washington’s Jordan Poole, Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, and Washington’s Jonas Valančiūnas.”</p><p>Alright, while that collection of players is incredibly eclectic, ranging from guards to wings and even a center for good measure, the idea of bringing LaVine to Denver is a very interesting one for more reasons than one.</p><p>On the one hand, LaVine is a good scoring guard who could likely play a similar style to long-time point guard Jamal Murray in the two-man offensive game. He can score from all three levels and is a beast in the fast break, where he could benefit from some Jokic deep passes Bo Nix-style.</p><p>And yet, LaVine is also a poor defender who does pretty much the opposite of what the KCP used to bring to the table. He would certainly start on the team next to Murray and Michael Porter Jr., but his defensive struggles might provide more harm than good for the Nuggets, as opposing teams would almost certainly target him down the stretch in playoff games, where his position could be exploited.</p><p>Factor in the contractual situation, as Lavine is <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/15365/zach-lavine" rel="noopener">making $43 million this season</a>, almost $46 million next year, and nearly $49 million in 2026-27, and the idea of bringing the UCLA product to town feels incredibly unlikely, unless, of course, Denver wants to send MPJ to Chicago to move off of his contract too. And yet, the Nuggets wouldn’t be having conversations with the Bulls about LaVine if they didn’t think he could help them out, so hey, you never really know: maybe the two teams could make a deal before the deadline, and every other team will have to adjust to this new NBA.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Nuggets targeting Zach LaVine trade to pair with Nikola Jokic

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-is-zach-lavine-playing-vs-raptors-latest-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Bulls’ Zach LaVine playing vs. Raptors? Latest injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Is-Zach-LaVine-playing-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Bulls’ Zach LaVine playing vs. Raptors? Latest injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-16T13:27:12-08:00">December 16th, 1:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-16T13:27:29-08:00">December 16th, 1:27pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Bulls (11-15) are being plagued by a worryingly similar problem during the 2024-25 NBA season, as they retain their residency in No Man’s Land. Though, upon entering the United Center, it is obvious that one major feature of the organization has been refurbished. And it goes by the name of Zach LaVine.</p><p>The 29-year-old guard is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-sets-impressive-franchise-record-vs-celtics">looking like his old All-Star self</a> through more than a quarter of the campaign. He is dropping 21.7 points per game while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and a career-high 42.8 percent from behind the 3-point line. His 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists are not too shabby, either. LaVine’s impressive production is fortified by the fact that he has played in all but three of the Bulls’ games this season.</p><p>That might change on Monday, though. The former UCLA star is on the injury report for Chicago’s road matchup with the Toronto Raptors (7-19). He knows this routine all too well, so fans are sure to be a bit apprehensive regarding his long-term status. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-headline-injury-report-hornets">LaVine was listed probable</a> for Friday’s win versus the Charlotte Hornets and ultimately suited up (13 points on 36.4 percent shooting and five turnovers).</p><p>His prognosis is not quite as rosy this time around, however. Bulls fans, specifically the many who may already be apathetic about the idea of sub-.500 teams battling it out, want to know if Zach LaVine will be playing against the Raptors in Scotiabank Arena.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Bulls have yet to make final decision on LaVine’s injury status</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-Zach-LaVine-sprints-to-the-basket-.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The two-time All-Star <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-16_03PM.pdf" rel="noopener">is questionable</a> for Monday night’s game with bask spasms, according to the latest injury report. His poor performance versus the Hornets could convince head coach Billy Donovan to play it safe as far as his starting lineup is concerned.</p><p>Chicago must therefore be prepared to possibly lose a big part of its offensive identity in its next game. The team is quietly scoring 118.7 points per contest this season, ranking sixth in the NBA. Admittedly, though, he is a key reason why the Bulls are allowing almost 122 points a night (second-worst).</p><p>The highs and lows of No. 8 are unlikely to go away, which is partly why the front office could still look to move him. Despite his revival, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-harsh-zach-lavine-trade-reality">LaVine’s trade market reportedly remains quiet</a>. But as long as he is still on the roster, Chicago will trust him to be a focal point of its attack.</p><p>Bulls-Raptors tips off at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET. A concrete answer about Zach LaVine’s status will ideally come well before then.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Bulls’ Zach LaVine playing vs. Raptors? Latest injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-headline-injury-report-hornets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bulls’ Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic headline long injury report vs. Hornets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-news-Zach-LaVine-Nikola-Vucevic-headline-long-injury-report-vs.-Hornets.jpg"></figure><h1>Bulls’ Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic headline long injury report vs. Hornets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-13T11:05:30-08:00">December 13th, 11:05am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-13T11:29:11-08:00">December 13th, 11:29am</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Charlotte Hornets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hornets-vs-bulls-prediction-odds-pick-12-13-2024"> Bulls (10-15) host the Charlotte Hornets</a> (7-17) Friday night in what should be at least a two-possession win on paper. However, Chicago’s injuries open the door for an upset loss.</p><p>While Zach Lavine (back) is probable, Nikola Vucevic (illness), Josh Giddey (back), and Patrick Williams (foot) <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-13_12PM.pdf" rel="noopener">are all questionable</a>, via the NBA injury report.</p><p>The Hornets, though, aren’t any better off, as<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hornets-news-charles-lee-positive-update-lamelo-ball-miles-bridges"> superstar LaMelo Ball (calf) is out</a> while Miles Bridges (knee) is questionable.</p><p>The Bulls need Lavine and Vucevic back at full strength as soon as possible, as they’re first and second on the squad in scoring, respectively. Lavine leads with 22.1 points per game on 50.6% shooting, while Vucevic averages 21 points on a 58.7% clip. The latter veteran also tops the team with 9.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per contest.</p><p>That’s not to mention Giddey, who’s Chicago’s top facilitator with 6.9 assists per game.</p><p>While the Bulls are positioned for a Play-In spot at 10th in the Eastern Conference, they could use a strong Lavine performance for a reason other than winning.</p><h2><b>Bulls need Zach Lavine to increase trade value</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine-pumped-up.jpg"><figcaption>© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While Lavine is a fine player, he’s keeping Chicago in no-man’s land. The team is too good to get a lottery pick, but not good enough to contend for a championship.</p><p>Trading the 29-year-old for draft capital would help the organization rebuild, but his contract and injury history<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/42934439/nba-trade-deadline-intel-warriors-heat-major-decisions" rel="noopener"> make him hard to move</a>, via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.</p><p>“LaVine has $89 million on his contract for this season and next and then has a $49 million player option for 2026-27 — plus a history of knee injuries. The Bulls have found those factors have largely frozen the market on him,” Windhort wrote. “With all of the new layers of restrictions affecting team building, trading for a player with a $40-plus million annual salary is complicated at best for most teams. LaVine, regardless of his fine play and 22 points-per-game scoring average, is stuck in a holding pattern.”</p><p>The only way for Chicago to get out of this trap is for Lavine to play so well that he becomes irresistible to playoff contenders despite his drawbacks. An eye-popping performance against a weak Charlotte team would be one small step toward that goal.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bulls’ Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic headline long injury report vs. Hornets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-harsh-zach-lavine-trade-reality');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bulls still getting slapped by harsh Zach LaVine trade reality');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NBA-rumors-Bulls-still-getting-slapped-by-harsh-Zach-LaVine-trade-reality.jpg"></figure><h1>Bulls still getting slapped by harsh Zach LaVine trade reality</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-09T09:56:11-08:00">December 9th, 9:56am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-09T09:56:11-08:00">December 9th, 9:56am</time><address><a href="https://www.downeuclid.com">Evan Dammarell</a>Evan Dammarell is an award-winning sports journalist covering all things Cleveland, including the Cavs, right off the shores of Lake Erie. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It’s no secret that the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine want to get a divorce. They tried staying together for the kids, but the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-bulls-trade-demands-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-still-too-high">Bulls are creeping toward a rebuild</a> while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-responds-fan-asking-traded">LaVine intends to compete</a> in the NBA Playoffs. But despite Chicago and LaVine having a mutual interest in finding a trade, not many opposing teams are <a href="https://x.com/StephNoh/status/1866129419011547429" rel="noopener">champing at the bit to acquire him</a>.</p><p>“He’s having an excellent year,” said ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst. “We know that he’s been on the trade block for a year now, at least. Yet I hear nothing about LaVine on the trade market, and I don’t think it’s because the Bulls aren’t interested in trading him.</p><p>“… Zach LaVine is playing well enough to be traded. If this was two years ago. …I think there’s a good chance he would be traded.”</p><p>“Two years ago, the Mavericks tried to trade for him before they got Kyrie,” replied ESPN’s Tim McMahon. “And the Bulls weren’t interested.”</p><h2><b>Why can’t the Bulls find a trade for Zach LaVine?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine-dribbles-Bulls-76ers.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>So, as the NBA season continues to advance, the Bulls remain without options to trade Zach LaVine. With LaVine set to make $43 million this season, a team interested in him would have to move heaven and earth to acquire him.</p><p>If Chicago wants to trade LaVine, it might cost them a draft pick to seal the deal. Moreover, the team acquiring LaVine would have to give up several pieces to make a trade financially viable.</p><p>So, no matter what team LaVine ends up with, his on-court performance will be worse than before he arrived. The Bulls and LaVine will remain in this awkward holding pattern.</p><p>Chicago wants the best return possible, and only so many teams are interested in acquiring him. A trade could eventually happen, but it might not happen until closer to the NBA trade deadline or until this upcoming offseason.</p><p>However, potential suitors have expressed skepticism about LaVine’s contract, injury history, and uneven production in past seasons. Granted, this season, LaVine is delivering one of his most efficient offensive performances. LaVine is averaging 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 51% overall and 43.4% from beyond the arc.</p><p>Regardless, his contract still includes two more guaranteed seasons, creating significant financial commitments for any acquiring team. So it’s tricky what will happen next for the Bulls and LaVine. Unless Chicago lowers its high expectations in return, it could be stuck with LaVine, making the situation far more hairier than it needs to be.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bulls still getting slapped by harsh Zach LaVine trade reality

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-zach-lavine-responds-fan-asking-traded');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bulls’ Zach LaVine responds to fan asking where he’ll be traded');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zach-LaVine-responds-to-fan-asking-where-hell-be-traded.jpg"></figure><h1>Bulls’ Zach LaVine responds to fan asking where he’ll be traded</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-02T15:56:11-08:00">December 2nd, 3:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-02T15:56:11-08:00">December 2nd, 3:56pm</time><address><a>Matt De Lima</a>Matt De Lima is an Associate Editor for NFL and college football at ClutchPoints. He has been covering sports for over 12 years at sites like Sports Illustrated, The Game Day, and countless others. Born and raised in California, he is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a diehard Hokies fan who now resides in southern Maryland.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-bulls-trade-demands-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-still-too-high">NBA trade rumors</a> have been swirling around the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine for what feels like years now. The latest reports suggest the Bulls are asking too much for LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, during a quiet moment in last Tuesday’s win over the Washington Wizards, an anonymous fan shouted a question asking LaVine where he was being traded to. The 29-year-old shooting opportunity took the opportunity to say he’s staying and loves Chicago.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I respect ✊🏾 Zach Lavine on how he handled these fans asking him about being Traded 💪🏾 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/dbRgjQubzo">pic.twitter.com/dbRgjQubzo</a></p><p>— DeeLovesSports (@DeeLovesSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeeLovesSports/status/1861781489165181062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>While it’s a cute response, behind the scenes in the Bulls’ front office, it’s a different story, per Hoops Hype’s Michael Sotto.</p><p>“Thus far, multiple executives who’ve spoken to the Bulls say Chicago still has asking prices that are “too high” for LaVine and Vucevic, given their contracts,” Sotto reports. “If both players continue their torrid paces, will a playoff contender believe adding either player could be the missing piece to a deep playoff run? That’s the question Chicago is willing to wait for the answer.”</p><p>“LaVine has played well after appearing in only 25 games last season. He’s shooting career-highs from the field and three-point range but is owed $138 million through the 2026-27 season, including his player option,” Sotto said. “Vucevic is also shooting better than ever from the field and three-point line while averaging 20 points for the first time in four seasons. He’s owed $41.48 million through the 2025-26 season.”</p><h2><b>Bulls tearing it down a few years too late</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-Zach-LaVine-celebrating-vs-Celtics.jpg"><figcaption>© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Chicago doomed themselves, and their fan base has heard it a million times since trading Jimmy Butler for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, which became Lauri Markkanen.</p><p>Now, with LaVine, Vucevic and even Lonzo Ball on the trade block, the Bulls are clearing house. However, everybody already knows Chicago is the team to take advantage of. With owner Jerry Reinsdorf, an owner foolish enough to go all-in on Fred Hoiberg among his neverending list of screw-ups, the Bulls will never get fair value for their assets. The whole league knows they can’t evaluate talent and should be paid pennies on the dollar.</p><p>In Brett Siegel’s most recent NBA Power Rankings, he downgrades the Bulls four spots to No. 24.</p><p>“Over the course of a 48-minute game, the Chicago Bulls are averaging 104.5 possessions, the most in the league. This up-tempo offense for Billy Donovan’s crew has taken some teams out of their comfort zone at times, yet the Bulls are among the worst defensive teams in the league. When you play fast but can’t stop your opponents from scoring, transition offense doesn’t matter much. The 124.2 points per game average that the Bulls are surrendering to their opponents ranks last in the NBA.”</p><p>Chicago hosts the Brooklyn Nets tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bulls’ Zach LaVine responds to fan asking where he’ll be traded

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-bulls-trade-demands-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-still-too-high');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bulls’ trade demands for Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic still ‘too high’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bulls-trade-demands-for-Zach-LaVine-Nikola-Vucevic-still-too-high.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bulls’ trade demands for Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic still ‘too high’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-02T10:04:56-08:00">December 2nd, 10:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-03T12:39:25-08:00">December 3rd, 12:39pm</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After Chicago <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-sets-impressive-franchise-record-vs-celtics" rel="noopener">Bulls guard Zach LaVine set a franchise record</a> in a 138-129 loss to the champion Boston Celtics, is the asking price too high for the veteran guard and Bulls center Nikola Vucevic? That’s the question one NBA insider answered recently, according to sources, per Hoopshype’s Michael Sotto.</p><p>League executives <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/top-nba-trade-candidates-for-the-2024-25-season/">say</a> the Bulls’ steep asking price for LaVine and Vucevic will make trading difficult in 2024-25.</p><p>“Thus far, multiple executives who’ve spoken to the Bulls say Chicago still has asking prices that are “too high” for LaVine and Vucevic, given their contracts,” Sotto reports. “If both players continue their torrid paces, will a playoff contender believe adding either player could be the missing piece to a deep playoff run? That’s the question Chicago is willing to wait for the answer.”</p><p>Given LaVine’s healthy start to the regular season and Vucevic shooting a career-best 57.7% while averaging 20.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, selling high isn’t an awful place to start. Amid the NBA’s purgatory in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with an 8-13 record, the Bulls are 4-6 in their last ten games.</p><p>“LaVine has played well after appearing in only 25 games last season. He’s shooting career-highs from the field and three-point range but is owed $138 million through the 2026-27 season, including his player option,” Sotto said. “Vucevic is also shooting better than ever from the field and three-point line while averaging 20 points for the first time in four seasons. He’s owed $41.48 million through the 2025-26 season.”</p><p>For many, seeing the Bulls trade DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings during the offseason signaled the beginning of a fire sale into a rebuilding phase heading into 2024-25. However, Chicago isn’t in any rush. Still, waiting won’t change the salary attached to Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic’s contracts.</p><h2><b>Zach LaVine sets impressive franchise record vs. Celtics</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Zach-LaVine-8-and-center-Nikola-Vucevic-9-talk-on-a-time-out.jpg"><figcaption>© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Zach LaVine’s 29 points led the Bulls in Sunday’s loss to the Celtics. He made 13 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, going 5-for-8 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from deep. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavine-sets-impressive-franchise-record-vs-celtics">LaVine surpassed Kirk Hinrich for most threes</a> in the Bulls’ franchise history with 1,051 career three-pointers.</p><p>LaVine’s been heating up from deep lately, connecting on a whopping 12-of-13 threes in his last four games combined. However, the Bulls went 1-3 throughout that stretch but will look to bounce back from their nine-point loss to the Celtics. They’re hosting the Bulls on Tuesday.</p><p>LaVine enters the matchup, averaging 22.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 0.8 steals per game this season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bulls’ trade demands for Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic still ‘too high’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bulls-news-zach-lavine-sets-impressive-franchise-record-vs-celtics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bulls’ Zach LaVine sets impressive franchise record vs. Celtics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bulls-news-Zach-LaVine-sets-impressive-franchise-record-vs-Celtics.jpg"></figure><h1>Bulls’ Zach LaVine sets impressive franchise record vs. Celtics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-29T21:42:54-08:00">November 29th, 9:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-29T21:42:54-08:00">November 29th, 9:42pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Bulls may have come up short in their bid to make it to the NBA Cup quarterfinals after suffering a 138-129 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday night, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bulls-news-zach-lavines-7-word-response-to-fan-heckling-about-lakers-trade-rumors">Bulls kept it competitive</a> until the very end, with Zach LaVine coming alive in the fourth quarter to finish with 29 points on the night.</p><p>LaVine tallied 13 of his 29 points in the final frame, going 5-8 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc to rebound from somewhat of a slow start. And in making a total of four threes on the night, the Bulls guard cemented himself as the greatest marksman in franchise history.</p><p>Following their loss to the Celtics, LaVine now has 1,051 career three-pointers — <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1862695187153395732" rel="noopener">allowing him to surpass</a> Kirk Hinrich to be the Bulls franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made. LaVine came into the night in need of just three threes to overtake Hinrich, and with a huge triple in the fourth quarter to temporarily cut the Celtics’ lead to three, he accomplished the feat.</p><p>Time has passed so quickly to the point that LaVine is now the all-time leader in three-pointers made for a Bulls franchise that has been the home to plenty of great players through the years. The Bulls acquired LaVine in 2017, and since then, he has been one of the most reliable scorers in the association — emerging as a nightly threat to score 20 or more points while taking on a huge offensive workload.</p><p>But with the way things are shaping up for the Bulls, LaVine may not have much time left to pad his lead on the all-time threes leaderboard over Hinrich, as it may only be a matter of time before the 28-year-old changes teams via trade.</p><h2>Zach LaVine’s days as a member of the Bulls franchise are numbered</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bulls-guard-Zach-LaVine-8-drives-to-the-basket.jpg"></figure><p>The Bulls have not made <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-lonzo-ball-joins-zach-lavine-nikola-vucevic-on-bulls-trade-block">Zach LaVine’s availability in trade talks</a> a secret; LaVine does not exactly fit the team’s contending timeline anymore after letting DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso go, and if any team becomes desperate enough for an upgrade that wouldn’t cost too much in terms of draft capital, then LaVine could be on his way out of the Windy City.</p><p>LaVine should be remembered fondly by Bulls fans as someone who blossomed into a multiple-time All-Star while toiling away on mediocre teams. He has only made the playoffs once with the team, but at the very least, he’s leaving a legacy that has him as the best volume three-point shooter in franchise history.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
21.7	4.5	4.1	0.2	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
21.7	4.5	4.1	0.2	0.8

Zach LaVine news

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