The Los Angeles Lakers Continue To Be Primary Destination For Bulls’ Zach LaVine
Ever since it was reported that Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine was on the trade block, the Los Angeles Lakers have been the consistent team linked with the former two-time dunk champion. The connection between the Lakers and the Seattle, Washington makes a lot of sense with LaVine playing his college ball at nearby UCLA and the franchise is looking for a secondary scorer to help shoulder the scoring duties when LeBron James is resting on the bench.
Then there is the Klutch Sports aspect which adds another storyline to this potential trade scenario, as LaVine is represented by Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports, which has ties to several current Lakers players.
While Rich Paul has denied that they are trying to force a trade to Los Angeles in a recent interview with The Athletic the rumors aren’t going away.
“It’s not one team,” Paul told Amick. “I don’t have a specific destination for Zach. I want what’s best for Zach and his family. When you have a guy playing the game, you want him to be able to play the game happy, whether that’s in Chicago or somewhere else.”
Meanwhile, a couple of league sources have recently shared with LandonBuford.com, that LaVine will end up with the Lakers by the trade deadline or during the offseason with the trade package including a combination of Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell and draft capital.
The Lakers have also been linked to Bulls guards Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
“I’ve actually heard that they’re more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. A.C., he’s the one that got away. Lakers fans, it still bothers them. Inside of the organization, it’s still a very divisive topic. And then DeMar is someone the Lakers have courted for several years now.
“Both of those guys are on more manageable contracts. Alex has a partial guarantee for next season, DeMar is an expiring contract. DeMar comes in, he’s that over the top shotmaker that the team seemingly doesn’t really have outside of when LeBron’s jumper is falling. And then Alex Caruso, one of the best point of attack defenders in the league, one of the best perimeter in the league period. We’ve seen the success he’s had next to LeBron and AD in a Lakers jersey, so I think both of those guys make more sense within what the Lakers need. There’s real interest in all three guys, but from what I’ve heard DeMar and Alex are higher on their priority list.”
Hoops Tonight
Also for LaVine, he has been linked to the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers this season.
According to a report by Sam Amick from The Athletic on December 18, the Sacramento Kings have shown interest in acquiring Zach LaVine. Amick notes that there is a mutual interest from LaVine’s side as well. Notably, back in 2018, Sacramento had signed LaVine to an offer sheet, which the Chicago Bulls later matched, indicating a previous interest from the Kings in securing his talents.
LaVine is currently injured with inflammation in his right foot, which has him sidelined for 3-4 weeks according to The Athletic. So, we will have to see how things turn out moving forward.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
