It’s not up for debate, Zach LaVine is one of the better offensive players in the NBA. At 6-foot-5 with elite athleticism and a silky-smooth jump shot, LaVine is a threat to score as soon as he crosses halfcourt. His masterful offensive game has been as advertised as ever to begin January.

Through the first six games of 2025, LaVine is averaging 33.3 points per contest while connecting on 58.0 percent of his 21.8 field goal attempts and 46.3 percent of his 6.8 three-pointers. LaVine has scored 30-plus points in every game in 2025 thus far.

LaVine averages 24.0 points per game throughout the season while shooting wildly efficiently from the field. He’s converting 51.7 percent of his field goals and 45.0 percent of his triples. The 29-year-old guard is one of the three players and the only one under 6-foot-8 in the NBA to clear the 35-dunk and 100-three-point benchmark this season.

Cherry-picking absurd statistics and highlighting LaVine’s impressive comeback season is enough to fill a novel. However, despite playing like an All-NBA-level talent, trade chatter regarding LaVine has seemingly died down in recent weeks. Besides the Denver Nuggets in mid-December and the Los Angeles Lakers, no suitors have since been revealed to covet LaVine.

LaVine’s exorbitant contract is nearly untradeable

While a majority of the NBA would welcome LaVine to their starting lineups with open arms, the Collective Bargaining Agreement has made it increasingly difficult for teams to acquire high-priced veterans such as LaVine. The 29-year-old is slated to earn roughly $43 million this season, $46 million next season, and $49 million in 2026-27.

For starters, NBA teams above the second salary cap apron cannot aggregate multiple players in a trade. Teams such as the Phoenix Suns’ only avenue to acquire LaVine would be sending out a player who earns more than LaVine’s $43 million—i.e., Bradley Beal (a player who’s extremely difficult to acquire in his own right).

Teams hard-capped at the second apron are capable of including multiple players in an outgoing trade. However, these teams are not allowed to absorb more in salary than they send out. For instance, the Nuggets must shell out more than $43 million to acquire LaVine. Michael Porter Jr. has frequently been mentioned as the ideal candidate to swap for LaVine, but at roughly $36 million, Porter Jr. must be paired with a player earning at least $8 million to satisfy financial requirements.

Lastly, numerous teams exist below the first salary cap apron. Ripe for trading, right? Right, but these teams are below the first apron for a reason. These squads, such as the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards, are rebuilding and unlikely to take on a three-year, $130-plus million contract on their books.

Zach’s injury history still looms large

Aside from LaVine’s expensive contract, it’s fair to wonder if suitors are concerned regarding his extensive injury history. Although the 29-year-old swingman has avoided the injury bug this season, he only played 25 games a year ago—opting to undergo surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot.

Prior to last season, LaVine missed time in 2017 after tearing his ACL and again in 2022 after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to the same left knee in 2022. Through 10, full professional seasons, LaVine has averaged 58 appearances per year.

Teams were increasingly wary of trading for LaVine during an injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign and to begin this season. Chicago’s lack of intent to trade the two-time All-Star stemmed from his lack of value around the league last season. While injury concerns have settled, teams likely remain somewhat hesitant to acquire a player with a substantial injury-history on the brink of 30 years old.