A big contract extension on the horizon for LaVine and the Bulls?

Along with Damian Lillard, Zach LaVine was also invited to participate on Team USA in the Summer Olympics this year and as a result, he too has been out in Las Vegas participating in the Team USA training camp. When asked about his future with the Chicago Bulls, LaVine gave an interesting answer to the media. 

“I think that’s going to play out the right way. I’m not even worried about it right now,” LaVine stated on July 9. “But we should be in talks soon. And we’ll see what happens.” Zach LaVine is eligible for a four-year, $104M contract extension this summer, but he could look to wait on a new contract in Chicago because he could make up to $200M over five years instead following the 2021-22 season. 

If LaVine was to be an All-Star and make an All-NBA team during the 2021-22 season, his new contract extension could jump up to $235M over five years. Right now, the deal Chicago can offer LaVine of $104M over four years is way under value for how much he is worth to this team. 

For the last handful of years, Zach LaVine has been getting better and better as one of the best scorers in the league and he was finally given the recognition he deserved this year, making his first All-Star appearance of his career. 

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Obviously Chicago would like to just get a deal done this offseason pertaining to LaVine, especially since they could save a lot of money on a future contract, but they also do not want to run the risk of losing him in free agency. Zach LaVine is only under contract for one more year (2021-22 season) and is being paid $19.5M, which is why the Bulls do not want him to hit the open market. 

Becoming an unrestricted free agent would make Zach LaVine one of the most sought after free agents in 2022, which is why Chicago wants to get a deal done now. While he may like playing in Chicago and being the leader of the Bulls, LaVine is definitely going to wait until next offseason to get any extension or new contracts done. He would be leaving too much money on the table if he was to sign with Chicago long-term this offseason, which is why we should not expect any new news pertaining to LaVine and the Bulls this offseason. 

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Anything can happen between now and next summer, but there really is no reason for Zach LaVine to leave the Bulls right now. He is their star player, they just acquired Nikola Vucevic to play with him long-term and they have a bunch of young talents on the rise, so LaVine should be content in Chicago. 

However, every star player’s goal is to win a title and Chicago still seems like they are a few pieces away from being a real threat in the Eastern Conference. Going out and looking to acquire a third key player will be a main focal point of the Bulls this offseason, which is why they are rumored to be interested in guys like Dennis Schroder, Spencer Dinwiddie and Lonzo Ball at the point guard position. 

Keeping Zach LaVine happy and wanting to sign a long-term extension moving forward is the main focus of the Bulls right now, which is why a long-term extension probably will not be reached this offseason.