Golden State Warriors Eye Zach LaVine Amid Trade Rumors
As the 2025 NBA trade deadline approaches, the Golden State Warriors have found themselves linked to one of the most electrifying and versatile scorers in the league: Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. Amid a season filled with ups and downs, the Warriors are reportedly eyeing the high-flying shooting guard as a potential addition to their roster, hoping to bolster their depth and firepower.
LaVine, a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion and a consistent 20+ points-per-game scorer, has emerged as one of the league’s most exciting offensive talents. His ability to shoot from long range, drive to the basket, and create his own shot makes him a perfect fit for a team like the Warriors, who rely on offensive versatility and quick-paced ball movement. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the speculation surrounding LaVine’s future in Chicago and a potential move to the Bay Area is heating up.
Why Zach LaVine Makes Sense for the Warriors
LaVine’s skill set would make him a seamless addition to the Warriors, particularly in their quest for another NBA championship. While Golden State’s core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green remains the backbone of the team, the Warriors have been in search of additional scoring options and a player who can contribute consistently on both ends of the floor.
Offensive Firepower and Versatility
Zach LaVine is known for his scoring ability, and that’s something the Warriors could use in spades. Although the Warriors already have elite shooters in Curry and Thompson, adding a third dynamic scorer who can create his own offense would make the team even more difficult to defend. LaVine’s ability to shoot from beyond the arc (he’s a career 38% shooter from three) would give the Warriors an additional deep threat, spacing the floor even further for their ball movement-oriented offense.
Additionally, LaVine’s ability to attack the basket would give the Warriors more versatility in their offensive attack. His slashing ability could put pressure on opposing defenses, drawing defenders away from Curry and Thompson, and helping the Warriors create more easy scoring opportunities in transition or off broken plays.
Defensive Potential and Fit
While LaVine is primarily known for his scoring, he has made strides in improving his defense over the years. Though not an elite defender, LaVine has the athleticism and length (6’6” with a 6’9” wingspan) to be an effective perimeter defender in the Warriors’ system. Golden State has always prided itself on defensive versatility, and while LaVine wouldn’t necessarily solve all of the Warriors’ defensive woes, his ability to guard multiple positions would be an asset.
Furthermore, pairing LaVine with the defensive-minded Draymond Green, who is known for his leadership on that end, could allow LaVine to focus on improving his defense in a more specialized role within the Warriors’ system. Green’s presence could provide the kind of mentorship that helps LaVine elevate his play on the defensive side of the ball, where he has shown growth in recent seasons.
A Long-Term Option for the Warriors
The Warriors have a championship window that is rapidly closing with their aging core. Curry, Thompson, and Green are all in their 30s, and though they remain among the league’s best, the Warriors need to start thinking about the future. LaVine, who is 28 years old, could provide the Warriors with a solid long-term solution to help bridge the gap between the current core and the future of the franchise.
Adding LaVine would not only add immediate scoring punch but also give the Warriors a younger player who could potentially become a key part of the team’s next championship run. With Curry and Thompson in their primes a few years ago, Golden State needs to prepare for the future, and LaVine fits that bill perfectly.
What Would It Take to Get LaVine?
While the Warriors have the assets to make a trade for LaVine, it would require a carefully crafted deal that balances both their immediate needs and long-term outlook. The Chicago Bulls are currently in the midst of rebuilding after their attempt to contend with a core centered around LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic faltered, and they may be open to moving LaVine in exchange for young talent and future draft capital.
Potential Trade Assets:
- Jordan Poole: Poole is an obvious trade candidate given his scoring ability and potential. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, Poole’s consistency has been a concern, and his defensive struggles make him an imperfect fit alongside Curry and Thompson. The Bulls could view Poole as a young guard to build around, and he could become a focal point of their offense as they look to retool.
- Moses Moody or Jonathan Kuminga: Both players represent the future of the Warriors’ franchise. Moody, who is known for his defense and shooting, and Kuminga, a freakishly athletic forward with incredible upside, could both be used in a trade package for LaVine. The Bulls would likely be interested in adding one or both of these young assets as they look to develop a new, youthful core.
- Draft Picks: The Warriors have limited draft capital, but they could offer future first-round picks to sweeten the deal. Though Golden State has traded away some of its future first-round picks in the past, they still possess some flexibility to include draft assets in a trade for a player like LaVine.
- Salary Considerations: LaVine’s contract, which runs through the 2025-2026 season, pays him nearly $40 million per year, so the Warriors would need to match salaries to make the trade work. This could involve sending Kevon Looney, Poole, or Andrew Wiggins (whose own sizable contract could be a point of interest for the Bulls) to Chicago.
A trade involving LaVine would likely require the Warriors to make difficult decisions about which current players and young assets they are willing to part with. However, if Golden State truly wants to make a push for another title, adding a talent like LaVine could be worth the sacrifice.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
Golden State’s front office has already made it clear that the team is in “win-now” mode, and the rumblings surrounding a potential LaVine trade only further indicate that the Warriors are actively exploring options to upgrade their roster. Curry’s call to the front office earlier this season about needing to “act before the trade deadline” suggests that the Warriors may be on the verge of a significant move.
Adding LaVine would not only provide more scoring and playmaking but also give the Warriors a more versatile roster that could make them even more dangerous come playoff time. With the West as competitive as it is, particularly with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks rising to prominence, the Warriors know that they need all the firepower they can muster.