Zach LaVine to the Lakers may be a done deal for a surprising reason

It wouldn't be an NBA trade season without rumors involving the Los Angeles Lakers trading for a star player. However, there appears to be more to this round of rumors, with the Lakers being linked to multiple Chicago Bulls players, particularly Zach LaVine. LaVine is expected to be traded before the February 12th trade deadline, and while LA appears to be in the mix for him, they may actually have the upper hand.

Its no secret that the Lakers have been linked to sports agency Klutch Sports since before LeBron James joined the team in 2018. However, since he signed there, the Lakers have signed or traded for a number of other Klutch agents, including Anthony Davis and now potentially LaVine.

Why Zach LaVine to the Lakers may be a done deal.

Lavine sharing the same agency as LeBron and Davis may be a coincidence but it could result in him eventually playing alongside them. Agents often play key roles in negotiating trades for stars and can guide them to include or exclude a team from their list of preferred landing spots.

The Bulls are likely looking to trade LaVine to the highest bidder but if he, through his agent, makes it known that he only wants to play in LA, then other teams may not be willing to give up as much for him. That would then potentially force the Bulls' hand. Of course, with three years remaining on his contract, another team could swoop in and acquire him.

But the offers for LaVine have reportedly been underwhelming thus far so there is unlikely to be a bidding war for him. That also plays into the Lakers' hands, with them having just enough matching salary and assets to put together a competitive trade package.

Whether that ultimately works remains to be seen, but with LaVine represented by Klutch Sports and their ties to the Lakers, it could be a done deal. If that's the case, then we could see a deal go down on or after January 15th when the the Lakers are allowed to trade Rui Hachimura. Curiously enough, LaVine was recently ruled out for several weeks with foot inflammation, with his return potentially coinciding with that date.