According to NBA reporters Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, Zach LaVine is viewed by some within the Golden State Warriors as a “safer option” than Jimmy Butler. Butler has requested a trade from the Miami Heat.

But the team has been "fun-bad," thanks to solid play from two-time All-Star small forward/shooting guard LaVine, two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, and guards Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Giddey. In the mediocre East, the Bulls are good enough to have at least a shot at the postseason.

As the clock ticks toward the deadline, the Warriors have floated a protected first-rounder as a sweetener in potential deals.