In a significant shake-up ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Sacramento Kings have acquired All-Star guard Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal also involving the San Antonio Spurs. The trade, finalized late Sunday, reshapes the rosters and future prospects of all three franchises.
In the three-team deal first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charnia on X, the Sacramento Kings acquired Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls, along with Sidy Cissoko from the San Antonio Spurs. Additionally, the Kings received three first-round draft picks in 2025, 2027, and 2031, as well as three second-round picks in 2025 and 2028.
The San Antonio Spurs strengthened their backcourt by acquiring De’Aaron Fox from the Kings and Jordan McLaughlin from the Bulls.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls received Zach Collins and Tre Jones from the Spurs, along with Kevin Huerter from the Kings. The Bulls also regained their 2025 first-round draft pick, which had previously been held by San Antonio.
The acquisition of LaVine bolsters Sacramento’s backcourt with a proven scorer. This season, LaVine has averaged 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His dynamic offensive skills are expected to complement the Kings’ existing roster as they aim to strengthen their position in the Western Conference.
Basketball journalist Marc Stein commented on the momentous nature of the LaVine trade, writing “So much history in this trade. Sacramento once signed Zach LaVine to a restricted free agent offer sheet. Last month my colleague @JakeLFischer reported LaVine was good with staying in Chicago after the Bulls tried for more than a year to trade him. Now LaVine is Sactown-bound,” as reported by NBA News.
San Antonio adds a dynamic playmaker in De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game this season. According to Yahoo! Sports, Fox’s speed and playmaking abilities are anticipated to mesh well with Spurs’ rising star Victor Wembanyama, potentially forming a formidable duo as the team pushes for a playoff berth.
Chicago’s return includes versatile players Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter, providing depth and flexibility to their lineup. Reacquiring their 2025 first-round draft pick offers the Bulls an opportunity to rebuild and plan for the future.
This trade follows closely on the heels of another major transaction, where Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The rapid succession of high-profile trades indicates a significant shift in the NBA landscape as teams position themselves for both immediate success and long-term growth.
As the NBA season progresses, the effectiveness of these roster changes will be closely monitored, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how the new additions integrate into their respective teams.
