Latest news with #ZachLaVine
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Bulls trade proposal sends Coby White to West contender for coveted 15.3 ppg forward
This offseason has been a quiet but wild ride for the Chicago Bulls. Over the past year, the Bulls' roster has changed dramatically. After finishing 2024 with a team built around the star duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, both of those wings have found themselves in Sacramento, with Chicago's youth movement taking over. This offseason has had plenty of twists and turns around the league, but the Bulls have mostly stayed out of the spotlight. However, as free agency has wound down, Chicago's lack of a deal with Josh Giddey has begun stealing headlines. Of course, the Bulls aren't the only team in that boat with a restricted free agent, and they could swoop in and make a deal with one of those other squads. As suggested by Bleacher Nation's Elias Schuster, the Bulls could make a deal for Jonathan Kuminga. A potential sign-and-trade could see Kuminga securing his desired contract while Chicago sends back Coby White on his $12.8 million deal. In the proposed trade, the Bulls would also get Trayce Jackson-Davis and a top-eight protected first-round pick. As Schuster mentioned, the Warriors simply need to get off of Kuminga before things get even worse in the Bay. While giving up Jackson-Davis and a future pick might not be ideal, getting back another proven scorer in White, who could be a perfect fit off the bench, would be hard for Golden State to turn down, especially at his salary. This deal won't necessarily solve all of the problems for either team, but it could be a step in the right direction for both franchises.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
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The Bulls Have Gotten Laughably Little In Return For Trading DeRozan, LaVine, Caruso, And Lonzo
The Bulls Have Gotten Laughably Little In Return For Trading DeRozan, LaVine, Caruso, And Lonzo originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Take yourself back in time to January 2022, and you'd see the Chicago Bulls sitting atop the standings in the Eastern Conference. With the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, and Lonzo Ball leading the way, the Bulls looked like title contenders for the first time in ages. Advertisement Unfortunately, not only would the Bulls fall well short of title contention, but DeRozan, LaVine, Caruso, and Ball have all been shipped out of town just over three years later. To make matters worse, the team has gotten very little for the four of them as well. Chicago Bulls Traded: DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball Chicago Bulls Received: Josh Giddey, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Chris Duarte, Isaac Okoro, rights to their own 2025 first-round pick, two second-round picks, cash The Bulls got just one first-round pick in the four trades, and it was their own. Let's take a look at each of these trades. Advertisement The first of those four to be traded was Caruso in June 2024. The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired him by parting with Josh Giddey in a swap that included no draft picks. While Giddey had a promising 2024-25 season for the Bulls, his stock wasn't all too high at the time of the trade. The Australian had just been benched in the playoffs, and it was clear that he was the odd man out for the Thunder. The fact that the Bulls couldn't even get a pick in this deal was quite surprising. What wasn't a surprise was Caruso playing an important role in the Thunder winning the 2025 NBA championship. It's fair to say they won this trade. Just a few weeks after Caruso was moved, DeRozan would join the Sacramento Kings via a sign-and-trade in July 2024. The Bulls only got Chris Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash in return. Even by sign-and-trade standards, that was a poor haul. Advertisement The Bulls were reportedly trying to trade LaVine in that offseason as well, but failed in that quest. They would finally succeed in February 2025, as he was sent to the Kings as part of a three-team deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The Bulls got Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and their 2025 first-round pick as part of the deal. They had sent this pick to the Spurs to acquire DeRozan in 2021. At first, it seemed like getting this pick back was somewhat pointless, as it was top-10 protected. The Bulls seemed likely to slide down the standings after trading LaVine to the point where they were going to have one of the 10 worst records in the league. The Bulls would finish 10th in the East, though, and that pick ended up being 12th in the 2025 NBA Draft. They would select Noa Essengue with it, but the Spurs would have been the ones with the opportunity to do so, if not for the trade. So, that was at least one positive here. Advertisement Lastly, we get to Ball, who was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro on Saturday. It was reported that the Bulls could have gotten a first-round pick for the guard at the trade deadline if they absorbed salary, but opted against that. They now get just Okoro, who averaged a career-low 6.1 points per game in 2024-25. All in all, this is just terrible asset management on the Bulls' part. They were never going to get an incredible haul for any of those four players, but you'd have expected a better return than this. Related: Chicago Bulls Declined Magic's Massive Offer For Coby White This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
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Matas Buzelis Locked In On Bringing An NBA Championship To Chicago
Matas Buzelis Locked In On Bringing An NBA Championship To Chicago originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Chicago Bulls rising star Matas Buzelis has huge expectations for himself and the team. Given the kind of success the Bulls franchise became accustomed to in the '90s, the young forward hopes to return the team to the same position by bringing a championship to the city. Advertisement While speaking with the media on his aspirations for the Chicago Bulls next season, Buzelis said: "I'm born and raised in Chicago, so this city means a lot to me. The people always deserve more, I'd say. Our fans are amazing, and we need to bring them a championship. Plain and simple." The conviction with which the 20-year-old expresses himself speaks volumes. The Bulls forward is an exceptional young player. Unfortunately, given the current state of this Chicago team in mind, bringing title glory to the city may be more of a pipe dream. Chicago has seen some significant roster changes over the course of the last few seasons. After trading DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings before the 2024-25 campaign, the Bulls decided to trade their star Zach LaVine to the same team midway through the season. This was paired with a trade sending Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who eventually went on to win the NBA title with Caruso playing a significant role on the team. Advertisement Some of the Bulls' trade decisions have been mind-boggling, and the value they have received from these trades hasn't been impressive. More recently, Chicago opted to trade Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking the end of an era with their old core. This sets up the Bulls to start anew, with Buzelis as the franchise cornerstone. But the challenges associated with this are not to be overlooked. As things stand, Chicago doesn't boast a formidable roster. After finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference last season, the Bulls haven't made any significant additions to their team to make improvements. Instead, the Bulls could be in a position to see more key players on the way out. In the backcourt, players such as Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have been mentioned in potential trade conversations as Chicago hopes to offload expiring contracts. Advertisement Restricted free agent Josh Giddey is still in contract discussions with the team, as they have shown no inclination to give him a deal worth approximately $30 million. The prospects for him are thin, as the market for restricted free agents this season is poor. While he could accept the qualifying offer and play out the season and become an unrestricted free agent next season, it is clear that he is seeking a multi-year deal. Coming off his rookie season, Buzelis could look to take major strides on a developing team. His averages of 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game could also see improvement. Unfortunately, as constructed, Chicago is a long way away from being a title contender. Related: Top 4 NBA Teams With The Bleakest Future Right Now This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
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Top Plays from San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
Zach LaVine discusses future with Kings, shares thoughts on Warriors' capability Kings guard Zach Lavine joins NBC Sports California's Monte Poole at the 2025 American Century Championship and discusses playing for LaVine discusses future with Kings, shares thoughts on Warriors' capability originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area 5:15 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
13-07-2025
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7 Signs That Show LeBron James And The Lakers Are Headed For A Breakup
7 Signs That Show LeBron James And The Lakers Are Headed For A Breakup originally appeared on Fadeaway World. What once looked like the perfect marriage between basketball's most iconic star and its most glamorous franchise now feels like a slow, inevitable breakup. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to chase rings and legacy together, but over the past 18 months, the signs have grown louder, colder, and unmistakably clear. Advertisement The tension didn't erupt overnight, it simmered, quietly, through front-office missteps, cryptic social media posts, and a major franchise shift that caught even James off guard. Let's walk through the seven clearest signs that the LeBron-Lakers era is reaching its end. 1. The Lakers Refused To Go All-In During the 2023–24 Season The seeds of discontent were planted during the 2023–24 season. The Lakers were stuck in play-in territory, struggling with an inconsistent and aging roster that clearly needed a jolt. Multiple reports linked the team to impact players, names like Dejounte Murray, Malcolm Brogdon, and even Zach LaVine came up, but the front office refused to part with their two valuable first-round draft picks. Advertisement Instead of making a meaningful midseason upgrade, they signed Spencer Dinwiddie off the buyout market, a Band-Aid for a bullet wound. The Lakers were promptly eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in five games, again. The failure to commit to winning now, despite having LeBron James and Anthony Davis, was the first red flag. And while Darvin Ham paid the price with his job, the deeper problem was already exposed: LeBron's window wasn't being prioritized anymore. 2. The Anthony Davis–Luka Doncic Trade Happened Without LeBron James' Input The shocker came on February 1, 2025: the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic in one of the most seismic deals in NBA history. The move electrified the basketball world. Doncic, just 25, is a generational talent with global appeal. Advertisement But what stood out wasn't just the trade itself. It was that LeBron James, the face of the franchise, wasn't informed ahead of time. According to insiders, James only learned of the deal after it was essentially done. He respected Doncic and understood the rationale. But for a player who's always been involved in team-building decisions, being left in the dark signaled a shift. The franchise was moving on. Silently. 3. The Lakers Addressed Luka Doncic's Needs—Not LeBron James' Longstanding Requests LeBron and AD spent years lobbying for a traditional big man to anchor the middle. From DeMarcus Cousins to Andre Drummond to Mo Bamba, nothing ever stuck. Advertisement Then Luka arrived, and immediately, the Lakers acquired a center in Mark Williams. Though the deal fell apart due to a failed medical, the message was clear: they were building around Doncic now, and fast. LeBron took notice. As did the rest of the league. 4. LeBron's Cryptic 'No Comment' And The AD Interview Fallout After the Lakers lost in the 2025 playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron was asked if the post-Davis roster had become too physical for him to handle. His response? 'No comment. I never say that because my guy AD said what he needed, and he was gone the following week.' It was a veiled shot, targeting how Anthony Davis had told ESPN that the Lakers needed a true center, only to be traded days later. LeBron saw the writing on the wall: voicing needs in this franchise now led to exits. Whether frustration or warning, that quote said more than most press conferences ever do. 5. LeBron James Was Excluded From The Ownership News—While Luka Doncic Was Informed Early On June 18, 2025, Jeanie Buss agreed to sell a majority stake in the Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter. It was a stunning move that ended the Buss family's decades-long control of the franchise. Luka Doncic, now the centerpiece of the franchise, was informed early and even posted a celebratory message on social media. Advertisement LeBron? He found out through his representatives. The silence from LeBron was deafening. No post. No statement. No acknowledgement. A player once consulted on every major move was now out of the loop. 6. The Extension Snub And The Cleveland Clues When LeBron picked up his player option for the 2025–26 season, the Lakers didn't issue an official press release acknowledging it, an unusual omission for a player of his stature. Instead, what followed was a series of cryptic social media posts. Them came He reposted a photo of Lakers broadcaster Allie Clifton wearing a Cavaliers jersey, captioning it: 'Proper attire.' Days earlier, he posted a video of himself golfing in Cleveland, wearing a 'Welcome Home' hat. Officially, the hat supported his friend Paul Rivera's new media company, Homecoming. But insiders knew better. Advertisement 'Nothing LeBron does is a coincidence,' one source told ESPN. The undertone was obvious: he's thinking about Cleveland. Again. 7. ESPN And Shams Charania Reports Hint At the Inevitable Then came the bombshell. An ESPN Insider piece from Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst detailed how LeBron James felt 'disrespected' by the Lakers' silent pivot to Luka Doncic. Shams Charania echoed it, stating that a potential breakup could happen within two months. More than just speculation, the leaks were purposeful. James has long used media signals to communicate his frustration. Whether it was 'taking my talents to South Beach,' or cryptic Instagram lyrics during his second Cleveland exit, this is a familiar pattern. The reports are the smoke. The fire is on the way. Where This Is Headed The relationship between LeBron James and the Lakers has deteriorated into a passive-aggressive standoff. Multiple league insiders, including Jovan Buha, have confirmed the cracks in the foundation. Advertisement LeBron reportedly no longer has the same influence in roster decisions. Where once his voice shaped the roster, now it echoes into silence. The Lakers are reportedly not opposed to exploring trade scenarios for James. While LeBron's full no-trade clause and advancing age complicate matters, at least four teams have already inquired quietly about his availability. The Lakers' internal view of LeBron has shifted, from cornerstone to expiring contract. A potential chip. That tension is beginning to affect other parts of the franchise, most notably Bronny James. The 20-year-old had a promising rookie season, and while the Lakers are pleased with his development, his future is now tied to his father's fate. If LeBron stays, Bronny's path may be fast-tracked. If he leaves, the team may either build around Bronny or use him in another deal. Advertisement Bronny himself has received no clarity, a reflection of how unstable the situation truly is. The Lakers eyes are clearly set on 2027 and the future, not on squeezing out one last run with a 40-year-old superstar. The Lakers' posture has shifted, intentionally and unflinchingly. They are moving into the Luka era. Young, global, fresh. It makes sense from a business standpoint. Doncic gives them another decade of title contention, youth appeal, and jersey sales. But in making that move, they've effectively phased out LeBron James without formally ending the relationship. LeBron, always a master of timing and perception, isn't exploding with emotion. He's watching. Calculating. Sending quiet warnings. Advertisement He picked up his player option not to commit to L.A., but to control his next move. Whether that's a midseason trade or a free agency departure next summer, James has made one thing clear: he won't be a silent passenger while his era fades away. The signs are there. The tweets. The interviews. The trades. The silence. And the symbolism. This story doesn't need a dramatic ending. Because it's already begun to unravel, one overlooked extension, one unreturned favor, one strategic snub at a time. And if history tells us anything about LeBron James, it's that when the signs point to the exit, he never misses the door. Related: LeBron James Trade Watch: 20 Best Deals The Lakers Would Immediately Accept This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
