A 3-team trade involving the Lakers, Clippers, and Bulls will create a 3-horse race for the Western Conference Finals.
A blockbuster 3-team trade is always going to shatter news outlets, especially when it involves the two Los Angeles teams and the iconic Chicago Bulls franchise. Each team is trying to win enough games in the 2023-24 season but is truly on different parts of the spectrum. The Chicago Bulls might want to blow it up sooner rather than later, the Los Angeles Lakers are going all-in, and the Los Angeles Clippers are trying to keep healthy and surround their stars with more talent.
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Therefore, there is a blockbuster 3-team trade that will change the landscape of the NBA. This trade shakes up the Western Conference entirely while also causing a rebuild in the city of Chicago. While this deal will place the Lakers and Clippers in the headlines, it will be particularly interesting to see how much the contending landscape changes going forward, and here is what the package looks like.
Trade Details
Chicago Bulls Receive: Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, 2028 Clippers First-Round Pick, 2029 Lakers First-Round Pick
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
It is important to note that this deal can only be valid after January 14th, 2024, since Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell were recently re-signed this summer for 4-year, $50 million, and 2-year, $36 million deals, respectively. Once these two players are legible to be traded, arguably the most significant 3-team trade in modern history can be engaged that could benefit each team.
Bulls Rebuild Around Younger Players By Trading Their Stars
The Chicago Bulls will acquire young talent with this trade. D’Angelo Russell is a dynamic scoring point guard who can create offense and provide playmaking (17.8 points and 6.2 assists per game on 39.6% 3-PT FG). His scoring ability, three-point shooting, and pick-and-roll s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s make him a valuable addition to the Bulls’ backcourt with Lonzo Ball out for the season again.
Norman Powell is a versatile wing player known for his scoring ability and defensive prowess. His ability to play both shooting guard and small forward positions adds depth and flexibility to the Bulls’ roster as a 30-year-old in his prime. Covington is an elite three-and-D forward. His strong defensive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s and three-point shooting make him a valuable role player for any team.
Finally, the cream of the crop, Austin Reaves is a young, promising player who showed potential during his rookie season with the Lakers. While he has not made the All-Star Team yet, he can develop into one and be the franchise cornerstone moving forward. The 2028 Clippers first-round pick and the 2029 Lakers first-round pick provide the Bulls with valuable assets for the future since both Los Angeles teams probably won’t be good by then.
The Bulls significantly improved their depth with this trade. They add several quality players who can contribute on both ends of the floor and also kickstart the rebuild instead of settling for play-in seeds and first-round exits. The core of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine has not been good enough to make a difference in the Eastern Conference.
Lakers Create New Big Three With Refreshed Lineup
The addition of Zach LaVine would greatly improve the Lakers’ chances of winning a title in 2024. LaVine is an elite scoring shooting guard who has proven himself as one of the NBA’s premier offensive talents. He possesses the ability to create his own shot, excel in catch-and-shoot situations, and provide a consistent scoring threat.
In 2023, LaVine averaged 24.8 points per game on 37.5% shooting from deep. His presence provides better floor spacing and makes it more challenging for opposing defenses to collapse on James and Davis. As good as Reaves is as a shooter (career 36.3% 3-PT FG), he can’t shoot contested threes like LaVine can. He can’t score like him, either.
LaVine joining the Lakers adds another dimension to their already potent offensive attack. He can serve as a secondary scorer alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, creating a formidable Big Three that can dominate games offensively. When James or Davis is resting or on the bench, the shooting guard is more than capable of carrying the offense.
The Lakers are likely making this trade with the intention of strengthening their championship aspirations because LeBron James will be 39 years old next season and needs enough help to guarantee a Finals spot. Losing two young players and a valuable first-round pick is not ideal, but winning a championship with The King is far more important than building for the future.
Clippers Have Their Own Big Three
The Los Angeles Clippers are in the same boat as the Lakers in terms of needing to win now since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both injury-prone stars who are starting to see the end of their primes in sight. That is why going for a major name like DeMar DeRozan makes sense right now.
DeRozan is an established scoring swingman with a strong mid-range game and the ability to create his own shot. He made his sixth All-Star Team in 2023 by averaging 24.5 points per game on 50.4% from the field.
DeRozan’s scoring versatility adds depth to the Clippers’ offense. He can operate effectively in isolation situations, providing another scoring option alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. DeRozan’s mid-range proficiency can be particularly valuable in clutch moments during playoff games when either Leonard or George are dealing with heavy defensive attention.
The new third option for the Clippers, DeRozan’s experience in the postseason can be a significant asset for the Clippers, a team that has been seeking to make deeper playoff runs. His composure and scoring ability can help them navigate through challenging playoff series.
Even if DeRozan has not been able to find success in Chicago in the postseason, he has played under 65 games in a season only twice over his 14-year career excluding the lockout-shortened campaign. That is certainly a welcome sight for Clippers fans who are sick of not having their star players on the court consistently.
Every Team Wins, But The Lakers And Clippers Join The Suns For The Finals Race
Every team wins in this blockbuster 3-team deal that involves the Bulls, Lakers, and Clippers. The Bulls receive several talented and young players, including D’Angelo Russell, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Austin Reaves, and future first-round picks. This significantly boosts their roster going forward and creates a situation for a much-needed rebuild.
However, the winners are clearly the Lakers and Clippers. The Lakers acquired Zach LaVine, an elite scoring shooting guard, which creates a superteam with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, significantly improving their offensive firepower. The new starting lineup becomes Gabe Vincent, Zach LaVine, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, which looks primed for a deep playoff run.
The Clippers also receive a star in DeMar DeRozan, an accomplished scoring swingman who complements Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, creating a well-rounded offensive attack. DeRozan is normally healthy every season and still has at least two more seasons at an All-Star level to create a new starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac.
Clearly, the Lakers and Clippers are in a 3-horse race with the Phoenix Suns in terms of making the NBA Finals. The Suns have their own Big Three with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, and the two Los Angeles teams fit into the mix perfectly. Each of these teams has superstar names with players of plenty of experience, so it is very likely that one of them will make the Finals.
To make a prediction, the Lakers will be the favorites since LeBron James is still the best leader on the team, and LaVine is a young star who will benefit from the presence of others, including Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, and Rui Hachimura.
The Clippers’ contention will end anytime Kawhi Leonard deals with another injury, and the same goes for the Suns and Kevin Durant. Therefore, with this blockbuster 3-team deal complete, the Lakers will go on to win the 2024 NBA championship.
