Lakers’ bid for LaVine hits snag; ‘bidding war’ for Mitchell as multiple teams interested – NBA Rumour Mill

Lakers’ bid for LaVine hits snag; ‘bidding war’ for Mitchell as multiple teams interested – NBA Rumour Mill

A Zach LaVine to Lakers trade has a catch.

The Lakers and Sacramento Kings are two clubs interested in the Bulls star,

according to NBA writer Chris Haynes on B/R Live.

According to Haynes, Chicago is willing to let go of LaVine but is

hesitant to risk being “killed” in the trade,

which raises questions about a possible deal with Los Angeles.

According to Haynes, Austin Reaves would have to return to the

Bulls in order for the Lakers to make a trade;

however, it isn’t thought that LA is willing to part with the guard.

“I’ve been informed that the Lakers have no interest in trading for Austin Reaves.

This is going to be difficult, and it might come down to the wire,

according to Haynes. It implies that by the trade deadline of February 9,

the two teams might not agree on a possible deal.

One of the most important off-season decisions made by the Lakers was

the re-signing of 25-year-old Reaves to a four-year $56 million contract.

Reaves was instrumental in the team’s 2023 playoff run to the conference finals.

In order to make the wages equal, LA would still need to give up additional players,

like D’Angelo Russell or Rui Hachimura, even if it was willing to deal Reaves.

After LaVine’s foot injury, the Bulls defeated Philadelphia on Tuesday,

improving to 6-3 overall and 11-17 overall to spark their season.

“BIDDING WAR” AS INTEREST INTENSIFIES FOR MITCHELL

Donovan Mitchell has long been a target for the New York Knicks,

but now they have competition for the all-star guard.

On The Hoop Collective Podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhost disclosed that,

should Cleveland move the 27-year-old, the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets would

have the best chance of re-signing him since they are “riding on the line” in a possible “bidding war.”

The Knicks expressed interest in trading for Mitchell, a native of New York,

when Utah placed him on the market last year.

However, Cleveland finally prevailed over Mitchell’s services by offering a

lucrative package that included Lauri Markkanen, three first-round picks, and two pick swaps.

However, with Mitchell in the second year of a $163 million contract that

runs through his 2025–2026 season and includes a player option for that final season,

a return to his native country may be imminent.

He declared, “I think the Knicks and the Nets are riding on the line.”

“I believe Donovan would have a chance to re-sign with those two teams.”

I believe it may be intriguing if they got into a bidding battle.

In addition to New York and Brooklyn,

Windhost said that “at least two other teams” in the Southwest Division,

including the Miami Heat, are also interested in Mitchell,

according to Nets Daily. The remaining cities in the Southwest Division are Washington,

Orlando, Atlanta, and Charlotte.

Given that they have a plethora of draft picks under their belt from recent trades,

the Knicks are probably the most desirable team in any deal.

However, a lot of options seem to be in the cards as the list of possible suitors keeps getting longer.

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