Several NBA executives are skeptical about the long-term marriage between Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
LaVine has grown tired of consistently landing in trade rumors.
“But several rival executives who NBC Sports Chicago talked to at the combine are skeptical about the long-term marriage between Zach LaVine and the Bulls,” Johnson wrote.
“LaVine, who has been loyal to the Bulls, has grown tired of consistently landing in trade rumors, although talk of the New York Knicks’ interest at the trade deadline was overstated. LaVine also represents the Bulls’ most dynamic scorer in terms of his ability to heat up either beyond the arc or attacking the rim.
“Again, the Bulls publicly have backed LaVine at every opportunity so believe that for now over rival executives’ speculation. But that speculation is prevalent enough to acknowledge.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine & Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. The two-time All-Star will make $40 million next season.
Chicago missed the playoffs this year after making it in 2022. LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 77 games this season while shooting 48.5% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc, and 84.8% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine & Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, the same agent Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are with. An Eastern Conference executive told Heavy Sports insider Sean Deveney in December 2022 that LaVine “wants to go to the Lakers.”
“LaVine wants to go to the Lakers, that has been pretty clear for a while now,” the exec said. “The agents (from Klutch Sports) want him to be in Los Angeles, he is a UCLA guy and they did some rattling about his contract last offseason, to kind of lay the groundwork if things blew up. Which they seem to be doing.”
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