The Golden State Warriors had their chance to land Zach LaVine, but as fans are now saying, “They fumbled the bag.” According to reports, the Bulls floated a trade package involving LaVine for Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors, however, turned it down, potentially wary of LaVine’s injury history and his hefty $215 million contract.

Fast forward to Monday night, LaVine showed the world—and maybe the Warriors’ front office—why that decision might come back to haunt them. In a thrilling 114-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, LaVine led the Bulls with a jaw-dropping 35-point performance. His stat line was as dazzling as his dunks. He scored 35 points on 13-for-25 shooting, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out eight assists, and had a steal.

The Spurs took control of the game early on, building a 19-point lead in the third quarter, but LaVine would not allow Chicago to fall over. The final-minute magic put the wind back in the Bulls’ sails. It’s commonly believed in the NBA that fans give hot takes on most management decisions, and this one has led to some fiery ones. Many think that rejecting LaVine was a huge mistake for the Warriors.

“LaVine Was the Move”: Fans React to Warriors’ Missed Opportunity

One fan didn’t hold back, stating: “LaVine was the move the Warriors should have made. At least they would have been funner to watch. Save me with the ‘they wouldn’t have been able to get Anderson, Hield, etc…’ they barely f**ing play at all.”* This sentiment highlights growing frustration with Golden State’s roster-building strategy, especially in a season where the team has struggled to find consistency.

Others see LaVine’s resurgence as a missed golden ticket for the Warriors. Since Christmas, LaVine has been scorching hot. He is averaging 30.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He is also shooting an insane 55% from the floor, 52% from deep, and 81% from the free-throw line. A fan summed it up perfectly: “This is All-Star production!”

For those envisioning a better landing spot for LaVine, the Denver Nuggets emerged as a favorite in fan debates. One hopeful fan tweeted: “Nuggets better go run to get him!! Hope we get to see Zach play for a winning team.”

Even Nuggets fans couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities. Another wrote: “MPJ’s been playing a lot better lately, so it hurts obviously, but Jesus Christ, LaVine has been so good—not even from the stats point of view, but the eye test too. If only Jamal could be traded, it would work out so well.”

Amid all this, some took shots at the Warriors’ broader drafting philosophy, with one fan quipping: “Need future pick to draft next undersized guard that can’t score or defend but…” It’s safe to say the Warriors are catching plenty of heat.

For now, LaVine remains in Chicago, carrying his team and keeping the trade rumor mill alive. Whether he stays with the Bulls or lands on a contender, one thing is clear: Zach LaVine’s star is shining brighter than ever, and teams like the Warriors might soon regret sitting on the sidelines.