{"id":47186,"date":"2022-05-06T13:30:56","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T17:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=47186"},"modified":"2022-05-06T13:31:11","modified_gmt":"2022-05-06T17:31:11","slug":"zach-lavine-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/05\/06\/zach-lavine-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Best Landing Spots For Zach LaVine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you let the internet tell it, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lavinza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach LaVine<\/a><\/strong> has made it in the NBA as a superstar. His 2022 NBA season with the Chicago Bulls has vehemently proved that. But between the injury scares and playoff inconsistencies, the now free agent may come with some red flags. Regardless, Lavine can be a great fit for any contending or on-the-bubble team. Here are four teams that would be an ideal landing spot for the 2022 NBA All-Star.<\/p>\n<h2>Four Best Landing Spots For Zach LaVine<\/h2>\n<h2>San Antonio Spurs<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murrade01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dejounte Murray<\/strong><\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/yungpopovich\/status\/1519861093056843777\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">now-deleted tweet<\/a> caused a litany of eyebrows to be raised regarding Lavine&#8217;s possibility of joining the San Antonio Spurs. But it&#8217;s not a far-fetched idea. After overachieving in the Play-In Tournament, the Spurs are once again a team with a young core and little direction. Yes, Gregg Popovich maybe still the head coach, but for how long? And then there are the rumors of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kxan.com\/sports\/are-the-san-antonio-spurs-testing-the-waters-in-austin\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">expanding towards the city of Austin and Mexico City<\/a> to play home games for the 2022-2023 season?\u00a0 Banking on a bona fide All-Star may be what the team needs with all the uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p>Adding in Lavine to play alongside Murray instantly ups both players&#8217; usage. Lavine gets an upgraded setup man, as Murray outranks <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/balllo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lonzo Ball<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in assists per game. While Murray gains much-needed offensive help after the Spurs traded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/whitede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Derrick White<\/strong><\/a>. Throw in the potential of the projected 9th pick (such as a certain Memphis center) and the 20th pick in this year&#8217;s draft and you may be looking at a resurgence in San Antonio. Talk about business in a blink of a tweet.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A grown man game for the 18-year-and-one-day old Jalen Duren. \ud83d\udcaa<\/p>\n<p>22 pts<br \/>19 rebs<br \/>5 blocks<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoTigersGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GoTigersGo<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TunnelVision?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TunnelVision<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/v5OjM8nmgI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/v5OjM8nmgI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Memphis_MBB\/status\/1461895274385887240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 20, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>New York Knicks<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, as wild as it may seem this would fit the New York Knicks narrative. But it will come with a cost. Across many circles, there seems to be a growing potential for trade for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Donovan Mitchell<\/strong><\/a>. And while it may be a pipe dream, it could be possible. The cost: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amny.com\/sports\/basketball\/knicks\/evan-fournier-knicks-season-3-point-record\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Knicks&#8217; franchise-leading 3-point shooter<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fournev01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Evan Fournier<\/strong><\/a>. Add in the necessary picks and the Knicks land a New York native. The follow-up from that trade should be to sign Lavine. Throwing a star of his caliber adds a much-needed rim runner Mitchell did not have in Utah. It also adds much-needed help at the free-throw line that your star player <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/barrerj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>RJ Barrett <\/strong><\/a>needs especially when Lavine outranks 14 players on the entire roster in percentage.<\/p>\n<p>Then there is still concern over what will become of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/player\/203944\/julius-randle\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Julius Randle<\/strong><\/a>? As public perception sours, there could be room to end this experiment by trade. Sign-and-trade with the Bulls? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nba\/lakers\/news\/lakers-could-latest-julius-randle-news-lead-to-a-russell-westbrook-trade-ee21\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Does <strong>Russell Westbrook<\/strong> come to New York<\/a>? Take your internet pick, at this point any of them would do.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New York Knicks need to trade Julius Randle to the New Orleans Pelicans for Zion Williamson. Randle can help a win now team with CJ, Ingram, &amp; Jonas.  Zion gets fresh start in NYC. Win win for both teams &amp; NBA<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; David (@UnFadeable21) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UnFadeable21\/status\/1499987032340320257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 5, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Miami Heat<\/h2>\n<p>Another team, like the Knicks, currently in the Mitchell sweepstakes is the Miami Heat. Built on culture, the Heat boasts a solid roster of young talent and veteran leadership. Led by a former Minnesota Timberwolves player like himself <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleji01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jimmy Butler<\/strong><\/a>, the Heat have surprised many this year. Battling in the playoffs and showing impressive aggression, the Heat could instantly become a destination city again for stars. Enter Lavine who supplements the lack of draw fouls and drive-and-kick plays in the Heat&#8217;s game. That distinction solemn goes to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lowryky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Lowry<\/a><\/strong>, who is currently injured during the pivotal second-round games.<\/p>\n<p>With the possibility of this scenario including losing the beloved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/robindu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Duncan Robinson<\/strong><\/a>, the thought process of losing the NBA 6-Man of The Year is worse. Imagine how scary it would be to have Lavine and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/herroty01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tyler Herro<\/strong><\/a> on the court at the same time? Or maybe not at all?<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">NBA Rumors: Heat Could Acquire Zach LaVine For Package Centered On Tyler Herro In Proposed Sign-And-Trade Deal<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4bNudEd8NM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/4bNudEd8NM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Inquisitr (@theinquisitr) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theinquisitr\/status\/1522214778009055232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 5, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>\u00a0Chicago Bulls &#8211; Staying Home for Zach LaVine<\/h3>\n<p>It could be because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/derozde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Demar DeRozan<\/strong><\/a> and Ball have a point. Upon their exit interviews <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/bulls\/features\/derozan-ball-hope-run-it-back-next-season\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">both players shared the same sediment<\/a>, why not run it back? The Milwaukee Bucks exposed the Bulls in their playoff series with a simple star shutdown strategy. Without DeRozan and Lavine, the Bulls had no additional firepower behind them.<\/p>\n<p>But it also has to do with health. If you add in a healthy Ball, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carusal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Caruso<\/a>,<\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willipa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Patrick Williams<\/strong><\/a>, that series could have gone either way.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Well&#8230; the season is over. You cannot expect going too far with only 4 actual competitive players. Hopefully, the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ChicagoBulls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ChicagoBulls<\/a> will build a better team for 2022-2023 season. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Q6XQ2BnXpp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/Q6XQ2BnXpp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rafael Fco. G\u00f3chez (@rfgochez) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rfgochez\/status\/1519722140475576320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Could the Bulls, who could upwards offer 5 years\/$200 million contract, retain a team that surprised the entire Eastern Conference this season? The numbers, top 15th in PPG, offensive rating, and pace in the NBA, don&#8217;t lie.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever decision Lavine makes will make for an interesting off-season. Either with the four suggestions above or any of the other 28 teams, the 2-time All-Star will be at the top of all free agency lists this summer.<\/p>\n<p>Main Image: <a id=\"DUt23JQVQ_VKWANoNgK13w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1333875436\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'DUt23JQVQ_VKWANoNgK13w',sig:'Qqb3-5GISN_vsEKd5llmIhc48DmYoeq3ImiDacK6zmM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1333875436',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you let the internet tell it, Zach LaVine has made it in the NBA as a superstar. His 2022 NBA season with the Chicago Bulls has vehemently proved that. But between the injury scares and playoff inconsistencies, the now free agent may come with some red flags. Regardless, Lavine can be a great fit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4161,"featured_media":47238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,8],"tags":[2037,1262,350,1090,4587,2803,131,204,142,510,319,667,3000,1964,53,1896,457],"class_list":["post-47186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-bulls","tag-alex-caruso","tag-dejounte-murray","tag-demar-derozan","tag-derrick-white","tag-donovan-mitcell","tag-duncan-robinson","tag-evan-fournier","tag-gregg-popovich","tag-jimmy-butler","tag-julius-randle","tag-kyle-lowry","tag-lonzo-ball","tag-patrick-williams","tag-rj-barrett","tag-russell-westbrook","tag-tyler-herro","tag-zach-lavine"],"modified_by":"Dylan Guest, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4161"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47186"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47186\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}