DALLAS — Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine landed back in the NBA trade rumor mill after the Philadelphia 76ers’ blockbuster trade of James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers. Within hours of the Harden deal being reported late Monday, LaVine’s name popped up in “early chatter” as a trade target for the 76ers, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. LaVine would give the 76ers a scoring and playmaking threat to help replace Harden in the backcourt.
He received no indication from the Timberwolves front office that a trade was possible heading into draft night — until his then-agent, Billy Duff, called him minutes before the No. 16 pick went in. LaVine learned he had been traded to the Bulls with Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen — whom the Timberwolves had selected at No. 7 — in exchange for Jimmy Butler and No. 16 pick Justin Patton.