Zach Lavine to the Nuggets? Nuggets Emerge as the Surprise Suitors for Star Guard
As the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline approaches, trade rumors have begun to heat up over the past few weeks. Most rumors have been centered around the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler and the New Orleans Pelicans’ roster, but the Chicago Bulls’ guard, Zach Lavine, has also been gaining interest from teams.
One team that has significant interest in Lavine is the Denver Nuggets. Denver currently sits sixth in the Western Conference standings after being expected to challenge for the top seed in the West.
The Nuggets have struggled this season, except for their superstar center, Nikola Jokić, who is once again in the MVP conversation. Michael Porter Jr. has also been a bright spot for Denver as he has been their second-best player amid a career-year.
With the Nuggets struggling, they are expected to make some moves before the trade deadline. They have been linked to many players, but Lavine is at the top of their list. To land Lavine from Chicago, Denver would have to send them Porter Jr. to match salaries, and a recent report says the Bulls would be interested in the move.
According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Bulls are open to acquiring Porter Jr. in a possible trade that would send Lavine to Denver. He mentioned that Chicago views Porter Jr. as an ideal piece on their rebuilding timeline.
Porter Jr. would be a great addition for the Bulls. He is putting together the best season of his career this year and would be a perfect player to build around in Chicago. He is signed through the 2026-27 season, which fits Chicago’s rebuilding timeline.
Lavine would also be a great addition to the Nuggets. With Denver’s starting lineup struggling outside of Jokić, Lavine would provide them with another elite scorer, which could help turn them back into a title contender.
With Sidery’s report, it may be imminent that a Lavine for Porter Jr. swap could come before the deadline. The deal would help both teams, including possibly leading the Nuggets to make another run at a championship.
