According to NBA insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Zach LaVine could remain with the Chicago Bulls “through the year or even longer.”
The Bulls are trying to trade LaVine, but the shooting guard doesn’t have a trade market due to his massive contract and injury history.
“Thus far, the buzz has been nearly silent,” Pincus wrote. “Outside of speculation that the Lakers will eventually make a play (perhaps if they miss out on Dejounte Murray), most believe LaVine will stick around Chicago through the year or even longer. The Bulls have a reputation for keeping their intentions relatively quiet. There’s no real noise that players such as DeMar DeRozan or Alex Caruso might become available. The team has shopped LaVine, but the Bulls remain an enigma to many.”
LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He is making $40 million this season and will make $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26. The two-time All-Star has undergone two knee surgeries in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine is averaging 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 45.3% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. The UCLA product has a plus-minus of -88.
Sources told NBA Analysis Network that LaVine wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group represents LaVine, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, the Lakers are more interested in acquiring Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray, who is represented by Paul, too.
The Bulls are 9-15 this season with LaVine in the lineup. They are 19-23 overall. If the regular season ended today, Chicago would be in the play-in tournament as the ninth seed.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine, 28, has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bulls. He was the 13th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
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