The increased urgency, the frequency of meetings in the NBA front offices well and truly paint the picture of the trade deadline’s frenzied rush. While Jimmy Butler stole the show in the trade window, De’Aaron Fox is the late comer to the party. But another heavy hitter is creeping in the shadows as much could ultimately be dependable on his impending trade. The person in question is none other than Zach LaVine.

National reporter Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints stated, “The Bulls and Warriors have held significant trade conversations through the weeks, sources said, with the focus on LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Although Vucevic was the early favorite to be traded to Golden State, the focus has shifted to LaVine, who would instantly become the team’s No. 2 scoring option next to Curry.”

According to the insider, the Warriors are exploring all their options. Jonathan Kuminga is unlikely to be traded, and there’s no confirmation yet about Andrew Wiggins’ future. The franchise is also considering adding LaVine without trading either of the two. Amid all of this, head coach Steve Kerr has highlighted the team’s weaknesses, which explains why they would need the Bulls guard.

Zach LaVine could be the solution for Warriors’ weakness

The Warriors have managed to maintain a 24-23 record so far, but by the end of this trade window, they’ll need to find a solution to help them break out of the slump. One of the key factors holding them back is their offense, which has been a major struggle.

Steve Kerr admitted that he’s always prioritized defense, believing that without getting stops, outscoring opponents becomes much harder. However, it’s evident that the team has been struggling offensively this season. “I think, we’ve had more trouble scoring at times than we’ve had the past, and it’s made the decision making a little trickier,” Kerr said. So adding LaVine to the squad would certainly benefit the Warriors.

Zach LaVine has played 42 games for the Bulls this season, averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. The Warriors would need those numbers to pair with Stephen Curry, giving them a stronger edge on offense.

Kerr further reflected on the performances of Gary Payton and Kevon Looney, who contributed 15 and 18 points, respectively, against the Thunder. They also played a key role in limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates, helping secure the 116-109 win. So there’s no two ways about the defense and Draymond Green’s arrival will make it stronger. But the offense has been a concern that could be solved before the trade deadline. The question of how and whether the Warriors will acquire LaVine will be answered in the coming days.