RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 December 2024

• Zach LaVine Focused On What He Can Control, Not Trade Rumors

  Zach LaVine is playing pretty good basketball for the Chicago Bulls right now. That's come as trade speculation swirls around the veteran guard. LaVine has continued his strong play by blocking out all the trade noise.

  "I'm not the one controlling that. That's what has been so good about my mindset. I can control what my mood is and my mindset going into each game. Outside of that, it's out of my control," LaVine said.

  Before his Bulls played at the Boston Celtics on Thursday, LaVine said he appreciates that teams reportedly have interest in trading for him. But he reiterated that he's focused on playing well for Chicago.

  "I signed a lengthy contract here for a reason. I wanted to stay here," LaVine said. "But it's always good to know you have interest because that means you're a player other people want to play with. I'm just thankful the position I'm at today getting ready for defending NBA champs"

• NBA Francises Collectively Worth $138 Billion, Average Of $4.6 Billion

  The Golden State Warriors have become the second most valuable franchise in sports at $9.14 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys at $10.3 billion. The Warriors are joined in the top-3 by the New York Knicks at $8.3 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $8.07 billion.

  Collectively, the NBA's 30 teams are worth $138 billion, including real estate held by owners and team-related businesses, such as WNBA franchises. The average NBA franchise valuation is now $4.6 billion and has a value-to-revenue multiple of 11.9, which is above all other leagues.

  The NBA has a significant drop off from the Lakers at No. 3 as they are worth 42 percent more than the Brooklyn Nets at No. 4 with a valuation of $5.7 billion.

  The 30 NBA teams generated an estimated $11.6 billion last year, or $387 million per club. The concert business has been a major revenue driver for NBA teams who own and control their own arena. The Lakers and Boston Celtics are the only teams in the top-10 who do not control their arena.

  2024 NBA Valuation Rankings
  1. Warriors: $9.14 billion
  2. Knicks: $8.3 billion
  3. Lakers: $8.07 billion
  4. Nets: $5.7 billion
  5. Clippers: $5.66 billion
  6. Celtics: $5.66 billion
  7. Bulls: $5.56 billion
  8. Heat: $5 billion
  9. Rockets: $4.77 billion
  10. Raptors: $4.66 billion
  11. Sixers: $4.57 billion
  12. Mavericks: $4.46 billion
  13. Suns: $4.32 billion
  14. Kings: $4.11 billion
  15. Hawks: $4.07 billion
  16. Nuggets: $4.06 billion
  17. Wizards: $3.98 billion
  18. Cavaliers: $3.95 billion
  19. Bucks: $3.91 billion
  20. Spurs: $3.79 billion
  21. Pacers: $3.74 billion
  22. Jazz: $3.67 billion
  23. Blazers: $3.6 billion
  24. Thunder: $3.55 billion
  25. Magic: $3.46 billion
  26. Pistons: $3.45 billion
  27. Hornets: $3.39 billion
  28. Timberwolves: $3.29 billion
  29. Pelicans: $3.09 billion
  30. Grizzlies: $3.06 billion

• Nuggets Seeking Offense On Trade Market, Emerge With 'Significant' Interest In Zach LaVine

  The Denver Nuggets are searching the trade market for a significant upgrade on the offensive end of the floor and have "significant" interest in Zach LaVine, sources tell The Athletic. The Nuggets have also expressed interest in or have had preliminary trade talks on Jordan Poole, Jordan Clarkson, De'Andre Hunter, Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas.

  LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season and is owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and has a player option worth $48.9 million for 26-27.

  If the Nuggets were to make a major trade, it would likely involve Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets previously had talks to acquire Paul George this past offseason from the Los Angeles Clippers.

  The Nuggets have struggled to generate self-creation beyond Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

• Bulls Trading Zach LaVine This Season 'More Pipedream Than Reality'

  The Chicago Bulls continue to aggressively shop Zach LaVine, but trading him this season is "more pipedream than reality," a source tells Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. A major injury for another team or a significant shift in the current market would be necessary for a workable trade involving LaVine to materialize.

  LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls during his free agency in 2022. LaVine has three seasons at nearly $140 million remaining on his contract. LaVine has a player option for 26-27 worth $49 million that he almost certainly will pick up considering his current value around the league. LaVine could have been challenging to trade under the previous CBA, but the new one makes it almost impossible with his current number of years remaining on his contract.

  LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 33.4 minutes over 23 games this season for the Bulls.

• Bulls Seeking First Round Pick For Nikola Vucevic

  The Chicago Bulls are continuing to try to trade Nikola Vucevic. Despite Vucevic's strong play to open the season, one hold-up for a deal is that Chicago is seeking a first-round pick in a deal for the veteran center.

  Vucevic has averaged 21 points on 58.7% shooting, including 47.4% from behind the arc this season. He's also averaged 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and just shy of a block and a steal per game.

  The veteran center is owed $20 million this season and $21.5 million next season. Rival teams have seen that as a bit pricey for a center who can't anchor the backline of a defense. However, Vucevic's hot start offensively could sway a team to make a deal before the February 6 trade deadline.

• Bulls Have Yet To Generate Any Trade Market On Zach LaVine

  Both the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine have been interested in parting ways via trade for at least one calendar year, but the size of his contract in a new more restrictive CBA environment coupled with his injury history and good but not All-Star level production has made finding an interested team challenging. LaVine has had a bounce back season with 22.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 33.3 minutes over 22 games, but it has not helped spark interest on the trade market.

  "He's having an excellent year. We know he's been on the trade block for a year now, at least," said Brian Windhorst on Monday's episode of The Hoop Collective Podcast. "Yet, I hear nothing about LaVine on the trade market. I don't think it's because the Bulls aren't interested in trading him. Despite playing this well..."

  "With this new CBA and all the dorky apron stuff, moving a guy with a big contract midseason is going to be tough," replied Tim MacMahon.

  "It's tough to trade a guy making more than $40 million, period," interjected Tim Bontemps. "The barrier to do that is very high and Zach LaVine does not meet it."

  "$43 million this year, $46 million next year. $49 million in 26-27, which is a player option and I would heavily wager on him taking that," added Windhorst.

  "Over $135 million over the next three years," Bontemps said.

  "I'm just saying Zach LaVine is playing well enough to be traded and if this was two years ago, not just with his contract but I think he would have a good chance to be traded. We'll see, we have two months left," said Windhorst.

  "Two years ago, the Mavericks tried to trade for him before they got Kyrie and the Bulls weren't interested," said MacMahon.

  "I'm just saying he had a great game today and he's having a great season, I'm hearing nothing."

• Lonzo Ball Believes Big Baller Brand Shoes Could Have Led To First Meniscus Tear In 2018

  Lonzo Ball believes the Big Baller Brand shoes he wore as a rookie could have contributed to the first meniscus injury he suffered in July 2018. Ball said the shoes were like "kickball shoes."

  "I think it's a possibility for sure, to be honest with you," Ball said. "I wasn't really getting hurt like that until I started wearing them."

  Ball chose the surgery with the quickest recovery time in order to try to help the Los Angeles Lakers make a playoff run. By the time he was cleared after 15 games missed, the Lakers were eight games back of eighth place.

  "I was an Adidas kid since high school, so I was thinking that was going to be the route," Ball said. "But what was told to me, I guess, wasn't what really happened. I was told that nobody wanted to partner with me, so my dad was like, 'Just rock the brand.' And I was like, 'All right.'"

  Ball said he wonders whether there were already cartilage issues deep within his knee before he even reached the NBA. Ball spent years playing on concrete and running springs in Chino Hills State Park.

  "My uncle used to always tell me, 'Y'all play too much outside,' because we were playing super hard in the backyard. That's on concrete," Ball said. "That was at least 15 years. So I mean, all that, over time, it can't be good for your knees."

• Bulls Expected To Make 'Significant Deal' Before Trade Deadline

  The Chicago Bulls are expected to make at least one "significant deal" involving their veteran players before the trade deadline, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  The team is looking to trade Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic or Lonzo Ball. The three players combine to make $85 million this season.

  The Bulls are set to meet representatives for LaVine and Vucevic in December.

  The Bulls also reportedly never made an extension offer to Josh Giddey earlier this season.

• Bulls Never Made Extension Offer To Josh Giddey

  The Chicago Bulls never made a contract extension offer to Josh Giddey during the extension window, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. The Bulls figured to highly value Giddy considering they acquired him from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Alex Caruso, who likely could have fetched multiple first round picks.

  The Bulls' ownership reportedly wanted to observe and assess Giddey with the Bulls before committing long-term money to him. Giddey will be a restricted free agent next offseason.

  Giddey, who is represented by Daniel Moldovan, is averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 27.0 minutes with the Bulls. Giddey's minutes, however, have fluctuated under Billy Donovan to start the season.

• Bulls Willing To Discuss Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball In Trades

  Arturas Karnisovas and the Chicago Bulls have expressed to their rival executives with other teams a willingness to discuss Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball in trade scenarios, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. LaVine, Vucevic and Ball combine to make nearly $85 million in salary this season.

  "Arturas is trying to drive up attention for all of his guys - he's smart," said one league figure with knowledge of the Bulls' thinking. "The fact they were willing to move DeMar and [Alex] Caruso [this past offseason], they're willing to move anybody [now]."

  The Bulls stood pat at least season's trade deadline despite receiving offers of multiple first round picks from the Golden State Warriors for Alex Caruso, and multiple second round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Drummond. The Bulls eventually traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey, while Drummond signed with the Sixers as a free agent.

  The Bulls' front office has long had a directive from ownership to try to make the playoffs every year, but that has changed since the end of last season.

  "That's been the mandate for 30 years," said one player agent.

  The Bulls plan on meeting with the representation for both LaVine and Vucevic in December about the Bulls' approach to the deadline. In order for the Bulls to unload any player, rival teams will be seeking Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips to be included.

  LaVine's trade market is limited. The Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons have had interest in the past, but none are realistic destinations now.