Zach LaVine trade rumors: Will former All-Star be next Bulls guard to go? And what destinations make sense?

When the Chicago Bulls inked Zach LaVine to a five-year max contract in the 2022 offseason, they thought they were securing their franchise player for the long haul. That’s not exactly how things have played out. Chicago has lost to the Miami Heat in back-to-back Play-In Tournaments. LaVine has dealt with an array of injuries. The Bulls have stalled without him and struggled with him. His footing in Chicago, through all of this, has grown far less stable.

Of course, his standing around the league has as well. Had LaVine meaningfully explored 2022 free agency, he would have found multiple suitors. By the time the Bulls started to seriously consider trades last season, the market had cooled. No team is known to have made a substantial offer. Or, well, any offer. LaVine is now widely considered to be a negative asset, and the Bulls have been reportedly floating more than a dozen LaVine trade ideas to other teams.

The question now isn’t whether or not the Bulls want to trade LaVine. It’s whether or not they will be able to. Chicgao dealt guard Alex Caruso to the Thunder earlier this week, so will LaVine be the next to go?

How did we get here? What has made LaVine such a toxic asset? And are there any teams that might still make sense for him? Let’s tackle these questions and look deeper into LaVine’s future.

Why he’s in trade rumors

LaVine is owed roughly $138 million over the next three seasons. That would be a lot for any team. It’s a ton for the penny-pinching Bulls. Chicago avoids the luxury tax like the plague, and re-signing DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams this offseason would potentially take them within range of it next season. The Bulls won’t risk actually doing so. Getting off of LaVine is their best way of saving money both now and moving forward.

LaVine’s contract would be justifiable for a consistent superstar. He’s never been that player. He’s a two-time All-Star that has never earned All-NBA honors. He’s been a reliable three-level scorer across several seasons, but he’s never defended at better than an average level,…

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Author : Sam Quinn

Publish date : 2024-06-21 15:41:23

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