Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine has “never gotten over” getting benched by head coach Billy Donovan on November 18, 2022, against the Orlando Magic, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
LaVine played 25 minutes versus the Magic. He finished with four points while shooting 1-of-14 from the field and 0-of-5 from beyond the arc.
The Bulls lost by one point.
Teams are probing the availability of LaVine and there’s been increased openness from the Bulls and LaVine about exploring a trade, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in acquiring LaVine.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He’s averaging 21.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists this season while shooting 40.9% from the field, 30.9% from beyond the arc and 87.9% from the free-throw line. LaVine scored a career-high 51 points against the Detroit Pistons on October 28.
During the 2021-22 season, when the Bulls won 46 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 2017, LaVine had a private discussion with Donovan about his lack of shot attempts in the fourth quarter, sources told NBA Analysis Network. DeMar DeRozan was the closer for Chicago that season, and while LaVine was happy the team was winning, he wasn’t thrilled with being a spectator in the fourth quarter.
All signs point toward LaVine getting traded by the Bulls this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls Updates
“This is a business, man,” LaVine said today. “We’ve dealt with a lot more than people talking in the media. There’s been a lot more than that. Obviously, there was some news in the media. But we’re grown men. We’re a professional business. We know how to handle that.”
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