The Chicago Bulls have internally “fluctuated” in their belief in Zach LaVine’s consistency as a lead option for them, according to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
The Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 season ended.
“The most significant times when LaVine has expressed his displeasure came following high-profile benchings by former and current coaches in Jim Boylen and Billy Donovan,” Johnson wrote. “While LaVine respects Donovan, he has had multiple meetings over the past two seasons about his role and usage, team sources said.
“Those same sources said that the franchise has fluctuated in its belief in LaVine’s consistency as a lead option, questions that only intensified following LaVine’s up-and-down performances in the play-in games. After almost single-handedly willing the Bulls to a victory in Toronto with 39 points, LaVine shot 6-for-21 with five turnovers in the season-ending loss to the Miami Heat.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine & Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine has appeared in 348 games with the Bulls. He’s averaging 24.5 points with Chicago and has made two All-Star teams. However, the Bulls have won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.
The 28-year-old LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls in 2022-23. He will make $40 million next season. The UCLA product signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with Chicago in July 2022.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine & Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine wants to stay with the Bulls despite trade rumors surrounding him, a league source told NBA Analysis Network. However, the two-time Slam Dunk champion isn’t happy that his name keeps coming up in trade talks.
“Zach wants to stay with the Bulls,” the source said. “He loves living in Chicago and playing for such a historic franchise like the Bulls. Now, he was upset that his name came up in trade rumors at the deadline this year and his on-court fit with DeMar (DeRozan) hasn’t always been perfect. But if it were up to him, he would stay with the Bulls.”
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.
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