Zach LaVine may be available, but does he fit in Philly? Sixers remaining patient, source says.
The Bulls and LaVine reportedly have “increased openness” about exploring a trade. But the Sixers are the NBA's hottest team and don't need to rush to the market for new players.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is available on the trade market as the team appears more open to explore options.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
The Zach LaVine-to-Philly hype is a bit premature.
Some 76ers fans might have their hopes up with news breaking today that the Chicago Bulls and the two-time All-Star have “increased openness” about exploring a trade, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. However, they may have to push the pause button for a moment.
Advertisement
Sources have said the Sixers are pleased with their early play and newfound depth, and likely will wait until later in the season to explore trade opportunities when needs will be more evident or to shore up the team in the event of an injury.
The Sixers believe a patient approach also aligns with the fact that they’re expected to have more salary-cap space than any contender this offseason.
Joel Embiid, Paul Reed, and Jaden Springer are the only Sixers with standard NBA contracts that go beyond this season. The Sixers intend to have enough cap space available to sign Tyrese Maxey and an A-list free agent to lucrative contracts.
LaVine is making $40 million in the second season of the five-year, $215.1 million contract he signed on July 7, 2022.
The Sixers may still investigate LaVine’s potential availability, but it is unclear if LaVine or any of the Bulls’ high-salary players are a good fit in the system that first-year Sixers coach Nick Nurse is implementing. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has said that any acquisition would have to be for a player who excels at both ends of the court. Right now, Chicago’s stars — like LaVine and DeMar DeRozan — don’t fit that description.
In addition, the Sixers are the league’s hottest team with Maxey and Joel Embiid leading the way. At 8-1, the Sixers hold the best record in the NBA. And they have a league-best eight-game winning streak.
Sixers Joel Embiid blocks a shot by Pacers # 33 Myles Turner in the second quarter of the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Tyrese Maxey after hitting a three point shot that gave the Sixers the lead 53-36 in the second quarter of the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Tobias Harris shoots in the first quarter of the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Joel Embiid battles Pacers # 33 Myles Turner and # 11 Bruce Brown for a rebound during the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Tyrese Maxey passes the ball off to Joel Embiid during the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Tyrese Maxey goes to the net in the first quarter of the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Tyrese Maxey points to a teammate who fed I’m the ball after making a basket in the fourth quarter of the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Joel Embiid (left) bows to Tyrese Maxey after Maxey scored 50 points during the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The crowd cheers for Sixers Tyrese Maxey who just hit a three point basket giving him a total of fifty points scored during the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Sixers Tyrese Maxey hugs teammate Patrick Beverley after the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023. Beverley squirted Maxey with water after Maxey scored fifty points during the game.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
With just seconds to go in the game, Sixers Joel Embiid hugs Tyrese Maxey after Maxey scored 50 points during the Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun., Nov. 12, 2023.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
As the Sixers beat reporter, I provide daily coverage, perspective, a social media presence and long-form takeout pieces about one of the NBA's young emerging teams.
