Zach LaVine has a “broken” relationship with Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, according to NBA insider Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
LaVine doesn’t want to play for Donovan anymore. The two-time All-Star wants the Bulls to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers so he can play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“Another source said that the relationship between LaVine and coach Billy Donovan, while still amicable, is broken from a professional standpoint, mostly on LaVine’s end,” Cowley wrote. “He would rather make ripples than waves but no longer wants to play for Donovan and really hasn’t wanted to since last season.”
LaVine has “never gotten over” getting benched by Donovan on November 18, 2022, against the Orlando Magic, according to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. LaVine played 25 minutes versus the Magic on November 18, 2022. He finished with four points while shooting 1-of-14 from the floor and 0-of-5 from 3
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 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season while shooting 44.3% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 86.6% from the free-throw line.
LaVine hasn’t played since November 28 due to a foot injury. He scored a career-high 51 points against the Detroit Pistons on October 28. The Bulls (9-16) are only 5-13 with LaVine in the lineup.
The Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are the two teams LaVine has been linked to the most. Since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, LaVine can’t control where he gets traded.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls Updates
“This is a business, man,” LaVine said. “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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