Following two minor trades to kick off the NBA’s unofficial trade season, a massive report set the rumor mill ablaze as the Denver Nuggets reported interest in upgrading its roster via a “significant trade” ignited numerous hypotheticals, including the Chicago Bulls’ leading scorer, Zach LaVine.

The Athletic reported that Denver’s focus is on LaVine, among other players. The Nuggets are reportedly searching for a dynamic scorer to ease Nikola Jokic’s heavy burden. Denver is notoriously bad whenever their star center is out of the lineup. The Nuggets are nearly 28 points per 100 possessions worse when Jokic is off the court. He ranks in the 100th percentile, elevating Denver by 27.8 points.

Despite a strong opening unit featuring Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, the reserves are getting trounced by opponents. While the starters all rank in the 91st percentile or better in efficiency differential, it’s more of a testament to Jokic’s greatness than anything. The quartet ranges anywhere from 11.5 to 23.3 in net rating, with Braun coming in at 23.3, 10 points better than his next closest teammate.

Denver is hapless without Jokic on the floor

It’s apparent a change needs to be made as Denver ranks sixth in the rigorous Western Conference. Furthermore, the Nuggets are only 5-5 in their previous 10 games. Enter LaVine, a player averaging 22.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, shooting 50.5 percent from the floor, 43.5 percent from three, and 80.9 percent from the charity stripe.

Murray has been known as Jokic’s “Robin,” but he’s having a down season. He’s shooting 42.8 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from downtown, and averaging 18.7 points per game—his lowest since 2019-20. Acquiring LaVine allows the 27-year-old guard to suit up next to a defense-bending shooter who could equally assume the role of “Robin” to Jokic’s “Batman.”

There are so many positive attributes that LaVine possesses that make you wonder why a trade has failed to come to fruition despite the 6-foot-5 swingman being involved in trade talks for over a year. Sure, the contract is unsettling. LaVine is due $138 million over the next three seasons, but underlying injury concerns trump the 29-year-old’s exorbitant pact.

LaVine’s injury history remains concerning

The Bulls failed to find a suitor last season and into the offseason, most likely because of LaVine’s injury-marred 2023-24 campaign. The 6-foot-5 swingman appeared in 25 games a season ago before foot surgery cut his 10th year short. A foot injury wasn’t LaVine’s first bout with the injury bug. Discounting 2024-25, LaVine has averaged 58 appearances per season.

LaVine’s injury troubles began in 2017 when the then-Minnesota Timberwolf suffered a torn ACL. The major injury cost Zach nearly half of 2016-17 and three-fourths of 2017-18. Although he didn’t suffer another major injury until last season, he only suited up for more than 67 games once in seven seasons, suiting up for the Bulls.

This season is going quite differently for the soon-to-be 30-year-old. LaVine has appeared in 24 of Chicago’s 28 contests. He’s only missed time due to a few minor injuries—nothing significant. LaVine is on pace to play 70-plus games for just the fourth time in his eleven-year career. Zach’s seemingly improved durability, combined with his phenomenal start to the season, has elevated his trade value.

There hasn’t been a better time to trade LaVine than now. An argument could be made that the Bulls should have dealt LaVine prior to 2023-24, but hindsight is 20/20. Plus, Chicago still rostered DeMar DeRozan and strived to compete. Now, without DeRozan and Alex Caruso, who the Bulls traded for Josh Giddey, Chicago is closer to a rebuild than contending.

It’s becoming increasingly likely the Bulls will send at least one of LaVine or Nikola Vucevic in a trade before the February 6 deadline. While Vucevic has received some interest, LaVine should be at the forefront of Chicago’s trade talks, considering his torrid start and lingering injury concerns.