After finding himself mixed in trade rumors for another consecutive season, it seems inevitable that Bulls star Zach LaVine will be on a different team before February’s trade deadline. But in his latest chat with the media this week, the veteran guard actually re-affirmed his loyalty to Chicago as a hint that he may not be going anywhere for the time being.
“Am I still a part of this team and very committed? Yeah,” said Zach. “I’ve got a Bulls jersey on and I’m committed here. For as long as I’ll be here I’ll still support and love Chicago.”
Zach LaVine addresses the narratives surrounding the timing of his injury and a potential trade request.
“Am I still a part of this team and very committed? Yeah. I’ve got a Bulls jersey on and I’m committed here. For as long as I’ll be here I’ll still support and love Chicago.” pic.twitter.com/nnRNDR8Boe
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) December 7, 2023
The Bulls have struggled mightily in the LaVine era, with their only notable stretch coming before Lonzo Ball’s injury during the 2021-22 season. Today, things are at an all-time low for the Bulls and for LaVine, who continues to wait for the team to comply with his trade request. At 8-14 on the season, this is looking like another lost season for the storied franchise and the only way out is to rebuild and start from scratch.
Chicago Bulls Are On The Verge
For a team like the Bulls, with a rich history and a track record for success, the pressure to win and build some kind of competitive roster is truly unmatched. In 2021, the Bulls responded to this pressure by signing veterans they hoped would elevate their ceiling. Instead, the “big three” of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, have been mediocre at best and it’s obvious to everyone that they cannot win a title together.
The problem for the Bulls is that they may be stuck with this roster for the foreseeable future. Besides DeMar DeRozan, whose contract expires next season, the Bulls have no way out of paying these guys and there isn’t an active trade market for any of their core players. In the case of LaVine, he’s pretty much come out publicly to support a change of scenery, but finding a fair trade is much easier said than done for the Bulls.
Where Will LaVine End Up?
At 28 years old, Zach LaVine is still young enough to give his next team years of All-Star level play. But it’s been two years now since LaVine has been named to the All-Star roster and he’s set to make roughly $45 million per year through 2027. Currently, there aren’t any teams willing to take on that kind of salary, especially for such a one-sided player who has not shown he can win at the highest level.
At this point, the best bet for Zach and the Bulls may be to just let him play and see how things go. Maybe if Chicago can stay healthy, and Lonzo returns, they can prove everyone wrong and make another run in the East. Of course, with an inflamed right foot, Zach won’t be in the lineup anyway for a few more weeks and he may not have a choice but to accept his reality and make peace with his situation in Chicago. Today, it seems he has started that process by speaking about his loyalty and reminding everyone that he’s still got a job to do.
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