A Zach LaVine Move Before The Season Ends?
With the 2022-23 NBA season nearing its halfway point, there’s still plenty of basketball left for fans and bettors. More than that, it’s also worth looking at the possible roster changes along the way. Some teams might be working overtime to secure their final pieces with the trade deadline just over a month away. Among the several superstars involved in talks recently, Zach LaVine makes for exciting storylines.
Reports tell us that the 27-year-old wants out of Chicago, and one of his desired destinations is the Los Angeles lakers. Many want him to head in that direction. He is from UCLA after all. This rumor emerged since the offseason when LaVine was a free agent before sealing the deal with the Bulls on a five-year $215 million deal, featuring a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season. With that, let’s check out what’s in store for the six-foot-four guard in the coming weeks.
Before anything else, Nitrobetting shares the latest news, NBA odds, and special features throughout the 2022-23 NBA season. Let’s get a closer look at one of the hottest NBA trade rumors before the year ends.
Is Zach LaVine heading out?
PSA: Zach should be an #NBAAllStar again this season!@ZachLaVine | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/xxRxgXrlZx
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 31, 2022
READ MORE: Carushow Back To The Showtime Lakers?
Los Angeles homecoming
LaVine currently averages 22.73 points, 4.30 rebounds, and 4.27 assists in 33 games. Despite putting up solid numbers for the Bulls, his desire to decamp from Chicago comes across as unsurprising as the team finds themselves in the bottom half of the conference. Their performance could be a reflection of the conflict between DeMar Derozan and LaVine and also injuries that hit the roster hard such as Lonzo Ball. On top of that, another significant factor in play could be the fact that LaVine shares an agent with LeBron James.
The possibility of switching things up and joining the Lakers should excite any basketball fan. A trio of James, LaVina, and Anthony Davis could pull the team out of the slump and get on the championship race track. As many witnessed the last two seasons, Russell Westbrook hasn’t quite materialized how the franchise anticipated.
However, for the Lakers to strike a deal with Chicago would be a tall order with their current offerings. One would question if a deal involving Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, and a pair of first-round picks (2027 and 2029) would be enough to seal the deal. Only time will tell if the Bulls go in a rebuilding direction or keep their current lineup intact.
A trip further east
Another team looking into a possible Zach LaVine acquisition is the New York Knicks. The Eastern Conference side made a major acquisition in the 2022 NBA offseason with the addition of Jalen Brunson. They displayed the initiative to add more talent to the lineup. Despite multiple turbulent runs in their season, the Knicks hold eight seed and a 20-18 win-loss record. These numbers are enough for a play-in tournament spot.
But, to get closer to a deep playoff run, major changes are called for. Three players averaging 20-plus points per game might not be enough here. Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Brunson hold significant value on offense, while Immanuel Quickley and Cam Reddish provide some depth off the bench. Nevertheless, this selection could be further strengthened by a consistent three-point shooter, which happens to be one of Zach LaVine’s strengths.
Where to Bet on the 2022-23 NBA season with Bitcoin
Nitrobetting offers a solid channel for those who want to bet on the 2022 NBA Season with bitcoin. The power of crypto and its lightning-fast transactions make the entire NBA Season betting more enjoyable.
This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook.
*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.