The Bulls have tendered a qualifying offer to Zach LaVine putting him on track to become a restricted free agent on Sunday, per RealGM’s official transactions log. When LaVine reaches the open market, he can expect to draw interest from the Kings, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune, who hears from league sources that Sacramento is considering signing LaVine to an offer sheet.
After failing to meet the starter criteria due to his ACL injury, LaVine is in line for a qualifying offer worth $4,333,932. The 23-year-old could accept that one-year offer from the Bulls with an eye toward unrestricted free agency in 2019, but he’s more likely to sign a long-term deal this summer.
LaVine could receive that long-term offer from the Kings, who project to have up to about $19MM in cap room, assuming Garrett Temple exercises his player option. That would be enough to accommodate a lucrative multiyear offer for LaVine, though the Bulls would likely match something in the four-year, $80MM range, according to Johnson. An offer closer to the max would give Chicago pause, Johnson adds. Based on a $101MM cap, a four-year max contract projects to be worth over $108MM.
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The Bulls viewed LaVine as a franchise building block when they acquired him from the Timberwolves last summer. Although the team still envisions having LaVine on its roster for years to come, the front office also wants to make sure not to overpay the young guard, and would like to maintain flexibility to add another core piece if the opportunity arises, writes Johnson.
LaVine is one of a handful of Bulls who are eligible for restricted free agency. We heard earlier today that David Nwaba has received a qualifying offer from the club, and two-way player Ryan Arcidiacono got one too, according to RealGM’s transactions log.
Noah Vonleh isn’t in Chicago’s plans and won’t receive a qualifying offer, according to Johnson. Vonleh will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
If the bulls dont sign Lavine regardless ima have to walk into the front office myself and slap them on the head
I hate comment sections.
Lavine is a good player when healthy, but even then he isn’t a star. He’s really become the third piece of that Butler deal. If the offer is ridiculous, I’d rather they not match. He isn’t worth anything near a max deal.
Yeah, I agree with that. I can see the Bulls matching 4/75 or in that range. With the emergence of Dunn and Lauri, that trade has already worked out well for the Bulls, even if they lose Lavine to a ridiculous offer sheet.
ZLV is a good player when healthy I do agree, but even then cannot get a max, he isn’t that good, Markkanen is the better player in Chicago & Dunn is also better, you cannot overpay guys like him, otherwise you are cuffed for years to come.