Grade the Trade: Mavs help Bulls facilitate 3-team Zach Lavine mock blockbuster

It might finally be the breaking point for the Chicago Bulls. Since acquiring Zach LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, Chicago has only made the playoffs once. And to make matters worse, the Bulls have only recorded one winning season.

The Bulls haven't just relied on the All-Star guard since he arrived in Chicago. Over the past few seasons, the Bulls have acquired numerous talented assets.

In 2021, Chicago traded former seventh-overall pick, Wendell Carter, and two future first-round picks to the Orlando Magic to acquire Nikola Vucevic.

Grade the Trade: Mavs help Bulls facilitate 3-team Zach Lavine mock blockbuster

A few months later, Chicago made separate transactions to further improve their playoff chances. The Bulls received guard Lonzo Ball from the Los Angeles Lakers. Three days later, the Bulls added forward DeMar DeRozan in a blockbuster deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

Subsequently, the Bulls found their most success in the 2021-22 season since 2015. The Bulls finished with a 46-36 record and entered the postseason a sixth seed. However, the Bulls' playoff run was short-lived. The Milwaukee Bucks only needed five games to knock the Bulls out of the playoffs.

Coming off a great season, expectations were high in Chicago. Nevertheless, the Bulls completely underachieved a season ago. Finishing with a 40-42 record and missing out on the playoffs altogether.

Now, three weeks into the 2023-24 campaign, it's been reported that the Bulls are willing to blow it up. And according to Shams Charania, the rebuild will likely include their best asset, LaVine.

While the Lakers might be the likeliest buyer, Charania reported (subscription required) that the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are also in the running.

Here, we'll discuss a hypothetical three-team trade involving the Bulls, the Heat, and the Dallas Mavericks. Miami's inclusion is because of the Heat's summer-long interest in Damian Lillard. Now, it's time for Miami to get their third star with the help of the Mavericks.

Dallas wouldn't be the best fit for the star guard, so they get involved as the third team. Nico Harrison always seems to be aggressive at the trade deadline, so the Mavericks could have a new player on their squad by the time the All-Star Game rolls around.