Everyone loves a good sports story – the long-tenured veteran finally winning the big one or the diamond-in-the-rough that goes on to become a superstar. And of course, there is the local talent getting a chance to play for their hometown team which Chicago Bulls fans know well thanks to Derrick Rose.
When it comes to Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis, however, the path from dream to reality is not quite clear.
Davis, who is squarely in the middle of a contract that will have paid him nearly $190 million over five years when all is said and done, has entertained the idea. Even more so in recent years than in the past.
But, as one Western Conference executive explained, getting it done is complicated.
‘Hard to See’ AD to CHI
“AD has always talked about playing in his hometown,” the exec told Heavy Sports’ NBA insider Sean Deveney, “but it is hard to see a deal that could come together there. Not sure the Bulls would consider doing Zach LaVine for Davis but that is probably what it would take and that would not be able to happen until later because LaVine signed the new contract.”
Everything the Bulls have done under vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas leading up to this summer was essentially about retaining LaVine.
The Bulls signed him to a $215 million max deal this summer, the largest in franchise history.
They are off to a 2-2 start that featured a pair of disheartening losses sandwiched in between a pair of convincing victories. LaVine missed their first two games, making his debut in the home opener with 23 points on 52.7% shooting.
He will continue to have his workload managed but both he and the Bulls are all-in together.
Davis and the Lakers are off to a rough start, going 0-3 to start the new season amid shaky team chemistry. The Chicago native Davis, however, is off to a solid start averaging 24.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 2.3 blocks, and 1.0 assists.