Before Zach LaVine suffered an injury, the Chicago 4 “worked hard” to trade for the shooting guard, according to NBA source Howard Beck of The Ringer.
After having surgery on his right foot to conclude the season, LaVine was not substantially pursued by any teams.
In July 2022, LaVine agreed to a $215 million, five-year contract with the Bulls. He’ll earn $45 million in 2025–2026 and $43 million in the following season.
The Bulls attempted to deal LaVine to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Dejounte Murray, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Additionally, they tried to deal him for Jalen Green to the Houston Rockets.
LaVine was not a player that the Hawks or Rockets were interested in signing.
LaVine, a two-time All-Star, shot 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from three, and 85.4% from the free-throw line while averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks by the end of the season. His salary is $40.1 million.
LaVine desired to be dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources who spoke with Hoops Wire. LaVine played collegiate basketball at UCLA and is represented by the same agent as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.
However, because of LaVine’s large salary and injury history, the Lakers were not all that interested in signing him. LaVine has had one foot surgery and two knee operations.
NBA insiders Anthony Slater, Jovan Buha, and Sam Amick of The Athletic claim that LeBron supported the Lakers’ trade for LaVine.
LaVine, a native of Washington, has averaged 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks over his NBA career while playing for the Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. The general consensus in the NBA is that Chicago will attempt to move LaVine once more this summer.
LaVine, whose contract contains no no-trade provision, piqued the curiosity of the Detroit Pistons. Whether the Pistons make another attempt to get LaVine this offseason will be interesting to watch.