The Denver Nuggets' sluggish start to the 2024-25 campaign and Chicago's underlying desire to retain their top-ten draft pick next summer have led the two franchises to multiple trade conversations regarding Zach LaVine. The two-time All-Star guard is having the most efficient scoring season of his 11-year career. The 29-year-old is shooting over 50% from the field overall and a scorching career-best 43.5% from beyond the three-point arc on nearly eight attempts from deep per outing. Denver's lack of three-point shooting has proven to weaken their chances against the fellow Western Conference contending rosters and is something they're actively looking to correct. LaVine's contract has this season plus two more, and he remains among the top 20 most expensive players leaguewide. With discussions this week around his possible swap, what is the lone hold-up for Denver, and how soon can the hurdle be jumped over?
A Third Team To Absorb Matching Salaries To LaVine
Beyond the salary cap figure already, Denver would need to trade away as much cap as it is absorbing, and LaVine represents a $43.1 million price tag. Michael Porter Jr. is necessary in the deal, assuming the Nuggets will not part ways with superstars Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray, who represent the only two comparable contracts to Chicago's guard. Porter Jr. chips $35.8 million of LaVine's lucrative contract, and bridging the nearly $8 million gap is the remaining problem. Denver's solution was to add Zeke Nnaji's $8.8 million salary, a commitment the Bulls have refused to make.
In trade negotiations between the Bulls and Nuggets on Zach LaVine, Zeke Nnaji has been a key sticking point, per @KCJHoop.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 21, 2024
Chicago does not want to take on Nnaji’s four-year contract alongside Michael Porter Jr., which means a facilitating third team would need to step in. pic.twitter.com/3DE54svbcv
Can the Bulls and Nuggets find a third team to help facilitate this blockbuster trade? A potential suitor must be willing to take on Nnaji's four-year $32 million contract, betting on the 23-year-old's unproven talent through his first four seasons in the NBA.
Adding Michael Porter Jr. In Chicago
The exciting part of this potential deal for Bulls fans is that by letting LaVine go, the team will not only escape the worst contract in the league but also welcome a younger, more untapped potential player in Porter Jr. The 26-year-old was once a surefire first-overall pick in the NBA draft before suffering several injuries in college, plummeting his draft stock. Since being drafted fourteenth overall in 2018, he's blossomed into a top-tier NBA role player with All-Star-level upside, best known for his scoring ability at all three levels.
Michael Porter Jr. would likely be involved in any major Denver Nuggets trade, per @Tjonesonthenba & @sam_amick
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 18, 2024
“Any big trade would likely involve Porter, according to league sources. Porter has long been one of the best shooters in the league. This season, he has rounded into… pic.twitter.com/67UVzPX0ze
When reports over the summer indicated that Chicago's market for LaVine was quiet, it couldn't extract a first-round pick, and that no team was willing to absorb his expensive contract, hope was lost for seeing the departure of their two-time All-Star. If Denver pulls the trigger, this would help catapult the Bulls' rebuild and likely retain their top-ten protected pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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