Zach LaVine is off to a hot start. After a promising preseason, LaVine has officially carried that momentum into the regular season. LaVine looks like he’s back to his old ways after injuries derailed last season. If LaVine’s play is sustainable, and he is indeed back to his All-Star ways, good things could be on the horizon for the Chicago Bulls.
Of course, ‘good things’ could mean many things. LaVine being back at the top of his game could mean the Bulls have a solid chance at a Play-In Tournament spot. Or better yet, LaVine being back at the top of his game could mean the Bulls could actually see a decent trade return if they do decide to move on from the two-time All-Star.
Early Signs Point Towards Former Bulls’ All-Star Restoring his Trade Value
Zach LaVine’s Season Opening Performance
It’s no secret that for at least a year now, the Bulls have been trying to find a new home for LaVine. With LaVine on the injury shelf for the majority of last season however—25 games played—finding him a new home was essentially a non-starter. Add in the fact that LaVine posted some of his worst numbers with the Bulls across the board when he was available last year, and it’s understandable that the Bulls didn’t find many interested parties when they kicked the bucket on his trade value.
In order for the Bulls to get any sort of net-positive value in a trade involving LaVine, he has to first show that he is healthy. And not only that, LaVine has to show that he can stay healthy while maintaining a high-level of play. And while it is early—and I mean really early (four preseason games, and one regular season game)—so far, so good.
Zeroing in on the Bulls’ opening night performance against the New Orleans Pelicans, LaVine looked great. And for a player who relies so much upon his athleticism, LaVine seemed to have it in spades. That is further evidence that he is truly feeling fit and healthy. Despite the loss, LaVine looked head and shoulders like the Bulls’ best player on his way to 27 points, five rebounds, and three assists. LaVine was also red-hot from distance, draining five of his eight attempts. Additionally, LaVine looked like he had his quick twitch back, and appeared to be completely comfortable exploding downhill and attacking the paint. He even threw down a few dunks, including a highlight-worthy alley-oop from Lonzo Ball.
Closing Words
One solid performance is far from enough to bring LaVine’s trade value from out of the cellar from which it dwelled last year. With that being said, what LaVine has shown so far has been encouraging. Stringing a few more performances like the one he had on opening night could go a long way in creating intrigue in potential trade-suitors. Consistency will be huge for LaVine, as he must maintain both his health and efficient play on the court in order to be a potentially moveable asset come the NBA trade deadline.
The Bulls are once again a team lacking direction. Despite LaVine’s opening night performance, the Bulls lost handily to a Pelicans squad without Zion Williamson. As the franchise shifts ever so slowly to a youth movement, LaVine is one of the last big dominos to fall. But even if LaVine maintains this level of play, there are still a lot of other factors outside of the Bulls’ control which could determine where he ends up. Will the Lakers feel desperate enough for a midseason change, and cough up a combination of D’Angelo Russell and picks for Lavine? Will the Heat be struggling enough offensively to do something drastic? How about the Nuggets? All possibilities are on the table. As things currently stand however, LaVine looks like a player a handful of playoff contenders certainly should be keeping their eyes on.
