Zach LaVine is a two-time NBA All-Star and a staple of the Chicago Bulls lineup for the past seven seasons. But it appears the itch is setting in. 

Mired in a losing season despite three All-Stars in the lineup, LaVine, and the Bulls are on a trajectory that appears leading to a parting of the ways. 

LaVine doesn’t come cheap, but his level of scoring and overall production – 21 points, 4,9 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game – make him perhaps the most sought-after trade acquisition of the season. This will make your NBA picks of the season more exciting.

Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson breaks down the landscape and reveals his NBA odds for LaVine’s team after the All-Star break. 

Zach LaVine's Next Team Odds

These odds are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect odds that may be available on legal betting apps

The Bulls traded for DeMar DeRozan before the 2021-22 season, giving Chicago a dynamic wing combo. They each played in the 2022 All-Star Game and were nearly as good the following season. 

But team success hasn’t lived up to the expectations. Chicago was a No. 6 seed in 2022, falling to the Bucks in the first round. Last season, the team finished out of the playoffs entirely. 

This year, it’s gotten even worse. As of Dec. 5, Chicago was ahead of only the Pistons and Wizards in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have made indications they’ll talk to potential trade partners, and LaVine appears of the mindset that perhaps a change of scenery would be best for his career, too. 

In fact, he’s even named his most-desired destinations: The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. 

But ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski says there just isn’t a market at the moment for LaVine for several reasons, including an exorbitant salary, injury issues (he's currently on the shelf through December with a foot injury), and a possible lack of impact on winning. 

LaVine is only in the second year of an extension that pays up just over $40 million this season, a number that rises to $43M in 2024-25, $46M in 2025-26, and a player option worth nearly $49M in 2026-27. That’s a lot of dough to shell out, and it’s very possible Chicago can’t find a suitable partner willing to take on so much salary for a run at a title. 

None of LaVine’s hand-selected teams can make any such move without giving up nearly as much salary back to the Bulls. The Heat have the best chance of making it work, if the Bulls would take on Kyle Lowry and his $30M deal that expires after this season. 

It’s also possible a team looking for a star looks that way, especially for a market that might struggle to get stars via free agency. 

The Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs could make it work, but the Jazz and Spurs are out of the race in the Western Conference and are building something, while the Pacers are in the same division as Chicago. 

Of those teams, Indiana makes the most sense. It could use a backcourt running mate for MVP candidate Tyrese Haliburton, and SG Buddy Hield is in the final year of his deal. 

It’s possible, if not likely, that if LaVine gets moved, it’s part of a three-team deal. 

For a player that expensive, shooting a career-worst 34% on 3s, that’s a big price to pay for a contender that would want to add him on as a third option for a title run. 

The Lakers really want to convince LeBron James to stick around. That means competing for a title right now. Does that mean gutting the bench and the future? Perhaps. 

The young Orlando Magic are right there with the Celtics, Bucks and Sixers atop the Eastern Conference. They’re led by post players, and could really use a scoring punch on the perimeter. Orlando makes a lot of sense if it’s still in the running by the Feb. 8 trade deadline. 

The aforementioned Sixers lead The Field, which also includes the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves.