The countdown to the NBA trade deadline has officially begun. In 15 short days, all the trade talk will screech to a halt as rosters become set for the postseason push. In Chicago, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Patrick Williams have been reportedly added to the trade block, with bites recently hitting Vucevic and LaVine. Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler’s antics continue to stir up potential landing spots, including the Phoenix Suns, who recently added three first-round draft selections in exchange for one. Bradley Beal’s name has been the most popularly floated asset in a potential Butler deal, but his no-trade clause creates a problematic hurdle to surpass. While the noise surrounding Butler and other stars around the NBA has only gotten louder over the past week, LaVine’s price tag is quietly becoming the most attainable and appealing one.

LaVine A Better Asset Than Beal

Phoenix has prioritized finding three-time All-Star Bradley Beal a new home since learning about Butler’s availability in the trade market. However, the destination would need to absorb Beal’s contract of over $50 million annually over the subsequent three campaigns, be willing to add his no-trade clause and be a spot Beal is willing to waive that clause to join. While Chicago might not want Jimmy Butler in a potential trade, using Zach LaVine as leverage could be a genius maneuver in a three-team scenario.

LaVine is two years younger, paid $7 million less annually, does not have a no-trade clause, and has had the most promising response to being added to the trade block. Since hearing the news that the Bulls were shopping him, the two-time All-Star’s play has only improved, and his attitude has stayed steady. As evidenced by Butler and Beal’s opposite reactions, these are not typical responses from All-Star talents when they are dangled in trade talks. Any team in the market for Beal would be much wiser to phone the Bulls.

Perfect Time For LaVine To Be On A Tear

In January, LaVine is second in the NBA in points and third overall in points per game, shooting nearly 55% from the field and 46% from three-point range. This would mark his highest-scoring month of the season by over six points per game and the most efficient stretch from the field by over three percentage points. With the trade deadline two weeks out, now is the most opportune time for the Bulls to sell high on his scorching performances of late.

Despite LaVine’s incredible play this month, Chicago still sits 10th in the Eastern Conference standings at 19-25. They’ve dropped six of their last ten, and are four games behind the top-six seeds, otherwise known as safely in the playoffs instead of the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Can the front office finally bring themselves to trade away the face of the franchise and strike while the iron is hot, or will LaVine again be dangled in trade talks over this summer?