Zach LaVine and his massive $215.16 million deal have been the subject of the Chicago Bulls’ recent efforts to sell him, and they have no intention of stopping when they have the next chance.
The Bulls are reportedly going to try to deal the star guard away in the offseason after failing to do so during the 2023–24 trade deadline because to his salary and ailment. As expected, Chicago is expecting that further parties will show interest in the 29-year-old.
Zach LaVine to be Traded by the Chicago Bulls?
LaVine underwent surgery to treat an ailment to his right foot, which is now healing. His persistent foot problem forced him to have surgery on February 8, which all but dashed the Bulls’ hopes of moving him before the trade deadline. He hasn’t played since January 20.
NBC Sports Chicago reports that the Bulls are resolved to cut ties with LaVine despite that setback.
“The Bulls had several trade discussions pertaining to LaVine since the previous offseason. Following a dismal start to the season, LaVine’s agent and the Bulls decided to keep an open mind about trying to locate LaVine a new team. However, KC Johnson of NBC Sports claimed that LaVine never explicitly requested to be transferred, according to NBC Sports Chicago’s report from last month.
In spite of this, the Bulls made contact with the Detroit Pistons in the run-up to the trade deadline on February 8 but were unable to move LaVine. The Bulls plan to try to trade LaVine again over the offseason, according to a source.
It’s still unclear which teams will be interested in LaVine at this point. It will be interesting to see if the two-time All-Star’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, who have been linked to him in the past, will happen.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also been floated as a possible trade partner, but no deal ever happened as the Purple and Gold showed little interest.
The Issue With Zach LaVine’s Trade to the Chicago Bulls
However, as the Chicago Bulls discovered during the previous trade deadline, moving Zach LaVine won’t be as simple as it seems.
According to Bleacher Report, reports before to the 2024 deadline indicated that LaVine’s trade value was “so rough” that the Bulls might have needed to add another asset in order to deal him. Not much will probably change, especially since LaVine recently suffered an injury.
LaVine’s injury history is undoubtedly worrisome, and his enormous deal makes matters worse. Having said that, it might turn off other teams, since they could likely find a different, more dependable athlete elsewhere in terms of health.
Of course, a desperate team in need of star power might decide to pursue LaVine, but Bulls supporters shouldn’t give up hope.