Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine hasn't played since Jan. 18 with a nagging ankle injury, but that hasn't stopped him from being one of the hottest names in the rumor mill as the NBA's Feb. 8 trade deadline draws closer.
Coach Billy Donovan's Bulls have been playing well lately, even without LaVine. The Bulls are coming off a impressive 104-96 win in Portland on Sunday night and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. Bulls fans and those who dabble in Illinois sports betting see Chicago back in the playoff picture. The Bulls are 22-25 and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
LaVine, 28, out of UCLA, has had his points per game (19.5) and three-point percentage (34.9%) slide this year. That said, there’s no denying that LaVine could fetch a solid return for the Bulls at the deadline and many expect him to be dealt.
IllinoisBet.com – your source for Illinois online casinos - broke down the odds on where LaVine will be playing when that date comes and goes. The team with the shortest odds might come as a surprise.
Zach LaVine Next Team?
Information is so vital when placing sports wagers. These odds are hypothetical and won’t be found of Illinois betting apps.
The odds are still in Chicago’s favor to keep LaVine after the deadline, partly because the Bulls owe him more than $40 million each year between now and the 2026-27 season. LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million deal in 2022.
Still, outside of the Bulls or another team not listed (who have +150 odds of keeping LaVine after the deadline), the main contenders have changed since our most recent odds. Now atop the list are the lowly Detroit Pistons, who are lugging around a league-worst record of 6-40. Maybe LaVine could be a cornerstone of the rebuild, along with promising young players Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Detroit is at +500, a 16.7% chance.
Following the Pistons, IllinoisBet.com lists the Los Angeles Lakers (+800), the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic (both +1200) and the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder (both +1500).
With or without LaVine, it doesn’t look good for the Bulls’ NBA finals odds.
