Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine is not a legitimate trade target for the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Blazers will not trade the third overall pick in the 2023 draft to the Bulls for LaVine, who is from Renton, Washington.
“Zach LaVine, the Bulls All-Star guard who flirted with Portland as he reached unrestricted free agency last June, also does not appear to be a legitimate target for the Blazers,” Fischer wrote.
The Bulls have started contacting teams, quietly gauging the trade interest in LaVine, according to Fischer. LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. The two-time All-Star averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls in 2022-23 while shooting 48.5% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free-throw line. He will make $40 million next season.
“Wishful executives will keep their eyes peeled on Portland and Damian Lillard, but it’s the Chicago Bulls who have started contacting teams, quietly gauging the trade interest in Zach LaVine, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote. “It remains to be seen just how willing Chicago is to part ways with LaVine, or if it receives a commensurate offer for his services. LaVine has four seasons remaining on his five-year, $215 million contract, and multiple teams have indicated the Bulls are holding a steep valuation for LaVine.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Chicago missed the playoffs this year after making it in 2022, which is why some NBA execs believe the franchise could rebuild this offseason. To that end, several execs are skeptical about the long-term marriage between LaVine and the Bulls, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
“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 & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
LaVine is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. It will be fascinating to see what happens to the star this offseason.
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