The Chicago Bulls have reportedly been looking to trade Zach LaVine for a while now, but it appears his contract has made that task rather difficult. During an appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio, ESPN’s Bobby Marks made quite a concerning claim that teams wouldn’t trade for LaVine even if the Bulls were giving up a first-round pick with him.
“Chicago has been trying to move Zach LaVine forever,” Marks said. “They can’t find any takers just to get off his contract. I don’t even think if they attached a first-round pick teams would take him. So, that impacts DeMar DeRozan, because you can’t sign DeRozan and keep LaVine, now you go into the luxury tax.”
“I don’t even think if they attached a first round pick teams would take [Zach LaVine].”
ESPN’s @BobbyMarks42 tells @BGeltzNBA and @SamMitchellNBA how the new second apron rules in the CBA are handcuffing teams like the Chicago Bulls. pic.twitter.com/lDCPxuB4l8
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2024
LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million deal with the Bulls in 2022 that runs through the 2026-27 season. The 29-year-old has a player option worth $48.9 million for that final season, which he almost certainly will pick up, so that is quite the financial hit for whichever team trades for him.
To go with that big contract, LaVine has also missed time due to injury. The two-time All-Star averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2023-24, but only played 25 games, as the Bulls finished with a 39-43 record.
LaVine had to undergo season-ending foot surgery in February and it felt at the time, that he might have played his last game for the Bulls. Based on what Marks said, he could still be on the team next season.
I think there is a chance, though, that a team gets desperate and trades for LaVine at some point in the coming weeks or months. We see teams pursuing Paul George and Klay Thompson in free agency and the teams that fail to land either of the two could look at LaVine as an option. He is still productive when he steps on the court and could be a fine second or third-scoring option for a contender.
The Bulls Have Reportedly Lowered Their Asking Price For Zach LaVine
A big issue surrounding any LaVine trade previously was that the Bulls also wanted a lot in return for the guard. It appears that’s no longer the case now, as the Bulls reportedly lowered their asking price for LaVine.
“I do get the sense both sides are motivated to make something work this offseason. I don’t think the Bulls will take an awful deal if little materializes, but I do get the sense they’re open to more possibilities than before.”
“More to the point: I’ve reported before what their asking price was—All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both—and my sense is that it has dropped significantly.”
“As I’ve said from the beginning regarding this situation: This is like a relationship that has run its course. Both sides have remained very professional to this point, and I expect that to continue. But the desire from both sides to make a change has grown.”
The Bulls wanting an All-Star caliber player and first-round draft picks for LaVine was ridiculous. They were never getting that kind of a haul and have now had to lower the price. The fact that no trade has been made even with the lowered asking price and with both parties being open to a split is concerning.
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