The Portland Trail Blazers are not interested in acquiring Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls, according to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
The Bulls are trying to trade LaVine in a multi-team deal to acquire Damian Lillard from the Blazers, according to NBA insider Kyle Neubeck of PHLY_Sports, but Portland has shown little interest in acquiring LaVine directly.
“Multiple league sources indicated throughout the offseason that the Trail Blazers showed little interest in acquiring LaVine directly, mostly because he doesn’t match their rebuilding path and commitment to a young backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons,” Johnson wrote in his latest NBA trade column.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers 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 after signing a five-year, $215 million contract in July 2022.
LaVine is “not happy” his name keeps coming up in trade rumors, a league source told NBA Analysis Network. The Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 season ended and the two-time Slam Dunk champion isn’t pleased by that.
“Zach is not happy he keeps seeing his name pop up in trade rumors year after year,” the NBA source said. “He’s represented the Bulls and the city of Chicago very well. He’s made two All-Star teams. He helped them get back to the playoffs. He’s played through several injuries. He hasn’t been a locker room cancer. For whatever reason, the Bulls keep dangling him in trade talks and it’s rubbing him the wrong way.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The NBA source went on to say that he wouldn’t be surprised if LaVine doesn’t finish his contract with the Bulls.
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