New Orleans Pelicans: Prying Zach LaVine away from the Chicago Bulls

The New Orleans Pelicans could offer the Chicago Bulls the perfect blend of young players and draft picks for Zach LaVine

When looking at both the Bulls and the Pelicans, a deal for LaVine makes sense for both sides. Chicago is clearly in a position to sell while New Orleans is clearly looking to add. In addition, the Pelicans can offer the Bulls the perfect blend of young players and draft capital.

The deal could look a lot like this when all is said and done:

Now the Bulls might try to pry Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Kira Lewis Jr. away from the Pelicans, but I think this deal would still serve them well.

Lonzo Ball would give the Bulls a proven playmaker on a team where he wouldn’t be required to score as much. He could run pick-and-pops with Lauri Markkanen, hit Patrick Williams on cuts to the basket, and kick-out to Colby White for 3 point shots.

Jaxson Hayes then gives the Bulls a young interior player to develop, and with Billy Donovan in charge in Chicago, maybe he turns into their version Steven Adams, and a replacement for if the Bulls decide to move on from Wendell Carter Jr.

Nicolo Melli becomes a throw-in who could revive his career in Chicago working with Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas who is notorious for making international players thrive in the NBA. And, finally, the Bulls get two key 1st round picks to add to their stockpile, and the Pelicans will still have plenty in their treasure chest.

In the end, LaVine comes to New Orleans with the hope that Stan Van Gundy will make him a more engaged defender who buys into a team system. His shot-making abilities would instantly boost the Pelicans roster and create a stronger offensive starting five with more attacking options.

If I’m David Griffin, I think this might be the trade deadline splash I make this season!