This offseason has been a very eventful one for the Chicago Bulls. Last season, the team finished the 2023-24 season with a 39-43, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Since the end of the season, the Bulls have experienced a lot of roster turnover. So far, the team has lost DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings and Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. Additionally, big man Andre Drummond joined the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. On the flip side, the team drafted forward Matas Buzelis with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and signed Jalen Smith away from the Indiana Pacers. Despite all the changes to the roster so far, one player shockingly still remains–Zach LaVine.
For parts of the last few seasons, LaVine has been subject to numerous trade rumors. And for a while, it seemed that a trade was inevitable. However, that no longer appears to be the case. According to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), the Bulls are likely going to retain LaVine through the beginning of next season. Stein does note, however, that a trade further down the line is still in play.
“League sources say that the Bulls are thus resigned to fact that they will likely be forced to start the new season with Zach LaVine on the roster and take it a step further by trying to help him rebuild some trade value after months of fruitless efforts to find a new home via trade.”
The 29-year-old has spent the last seven seasons of his career with the Bulls. In that time, he has averaged 24.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Additionally, with Chicago, LaVine is a two-time All-Star. He also finished in the top five for Most Improved Player during the 2020-21 season.
NBA Insider Provides Update for Chicago Bulls Star
No Trade Market for Zach LaVine?
Earlier in July, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (subscription required) reported that there is no trade market for LaVine or Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.
“The growing concerns, however, are that possible destinations for LaVine seemingly have dried up and that there is still no market for Vucevic at age 33 and $41 million-plus guaranteed over the next two seasons.”
Much of LaVine’s lack of trade interest could revolve around the fact that he is coming off a season-ending foot injury. Additionally, he still has three years remaining on his five-year, $215 million contract. This includes a player option for the 2026-27 season.
Zach LaVine Could End Up With the Los Angeles Clippers
A few weeks ago, Cowley tweeted that there is speculation the Los Angeles Clippers could acquire LaVine at some point.
NBA people still feel like if there’s a place Zach LaVine could end up going to – either before the season or at the deadline – don’t rule out the Clippers.
— Joe Cowley (@JCowleyHoops) July 16, 2024
The Clippers lost star Paul George to the 76ers this offseason. Although not necessarily the same type of player, LaVine would provide an explosive offense-heavy game to Los Angeles. Furthermore, he went to college at UCLA and has ties to California. If the Bulls do move on from LaVine, the Clippers seem to be a team to monitor.
