Zach LaVine is expected to finalize a new contract with the Bulls shortly after free agency begins at 6:00 pm Eastern, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. LaVine has informed people that he plans to stay in Chicago, and his new contract will likely be a five-year max deal in the $215MM range, Johnson adds.
After weeks of rumors that LaVine was prepared to explore his options on the free agent market, the situation has settled down in recent days and a return to Chicago appeared imminent. General manager Marc Eversley said after last week’s draft that the team would “do what it will take” to re-sign LaVine.
The 27-year-old guard has been an All-Star the past two years. He dealt with knee issues this season, but was still able to average 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 67 games.
There’s more from Chicago, all courtesy of Johnson:
- The Bulls are among several teams that would have interest in adding Danilo Gallinari if he gets waived by the Spurs. The move is expected after San Antonio agreed to acquire Gallinari on Wednesday as part of the return for Dejounte Murray. Johnson estimates that Gallinari will receive a two-year deal worth about $7-8MM per season and points out that Billy Donovan coached Gallinari with the Thunder.
- Chicago, which has been linked to several centers through trade and free agency rumors, has interest in signing Andre Drummond. Several other teams will also pursue Drummond, Johnson adds, but he should be available on a veteran’s minimum salary.
- Johnson says rumors that the Bulls will try to sign Mohamed Bamba are “on life support” and believes that reports of interest in dealing for Jazz center Rudy Gobert were exaggerated. Another possibility could be trading for San Antonio’s Jakob Poeltl if the Spurs continue to unload their veterans.
- It appears likely that third-year guard Coby White will remain in Chicago. Johnson states that the Bulls listened to offers for White before the draft and were asking for a young rotation player and a draft pick. White is among Chicago’s best outside shooters and provides backcourt depth that is important with concerns about Lonzo Ball‘s knee.
Drummond would be great. His presence and reputation alone would be an upgrade.
Well the Lavine Lovers will be happy. I’m not totally unhappy as long as Lavine’s knees hold out and he remains competitive enough to make somebody want him in a trade, He is a very good player, But not a great player IMO and max deals should only go to great players. Healthy great players that is. Not unexpeected but I just hope the Bulls don’t regret it later. I still trust in AK and Eversley so let the season start! Davis and Wall were very good players who became Albatrosses and injured ones at that.
Max deals go to teams best players constantly, signing a player so you can trade him is a weak way of doing business and doesn’t attract other free agents, you know who talks about Zach Lavine a lot regardless of how unlikely they team up is KD, the bulls desperately need Zach for on and off the court reasons, Davis is not an albatross and Wall was given a max while injured….come on uncle Mike
So your saying Davis HASN’T been an albatross since signing his deal? I think you are either his agent, brother, girlfriend or just an apologist in general. He’s been lame ever since the ink dried. Now I remember you, You’re the poster who has been trying to peddle him to the Bulls all year. And Wall has had about 2 good seasons period. Post about LA will you. They have way more problems than the Bulls. Egads. All because he’s from Chicago like anybody but you would care.
“signing a player so you can trade him is a weak way of doing business and doesn’t attract other free agents”
Weak indeed. Because if his contract prevents a trade, then he’s an albatross.
The max stud has 5 more years of Bullhood. :D
I just meant that Lavine would be healthy enough to make somebody want him in a deal if they decide to rebuild in 2 years when Ball and DDR’s deals are over. Because when their contracts are up, the Bulls will have to decide to pull the plug or fill in the holes around Lavine in 2 years. He won’t be a sign and trade this year obviously. You have to spell things out for people I guess.
I said nothing about an S&T and I was not even talking to you. You could have noticed I was quoting parx not mike1525. You know parx, the one you responded to first.
We actually agree on Lavine like most posters, and indeed, the last time Lavine and Bulls signed a contract also, but nevermind that.
Signing a player thinking he’s a future trade piece, is weak. Initially putting that thought on a “pro” list is how a contractor gets stuck with a contractee— like the Bulls and Lavine in several years.
·Indeed you just said this is inevitable.
·Parx thinks Lavine will be good for the duration.
·And I said, yes, he better be, bc who wants an albatross.
Utah got much for Gobert but many teams have past enthusiasms holding them back.
I think the defense and playmaking they put around him last year really helped him, but with the way certain guys are getting paid, it was going to be hard to avoid that being the amount
Drummond would be an upgrade over Bradley. The one armed man from The Fugitive would be an upgrade. A can of Tuna fish would be an upgrade. I’m just wondering how the Bulls are going to fit all these guys they’re supposed to be signing without becoming taxpayers or dumping a salary somehow. But in AK and Ev I trust. Reinsdorf said he wouldn’t be opposed to being a taxpayer but it has down the road signing problems.
They’ll become tax payers. Michael’s said as much. I think Michael sees being a tax payer in the NBA usually means a fuller arena, more merch sales, probably an offset in the end. His dad sees it like a baseball owner.
Yeah, he said it. But I guess we’ll see if he really meant it won’t we.
Vet minimum for Drummond, really? He’s not that bad. I’d say about 5-6 mil from the MLE is what it would take to get him. He’s no shooter and not as good at defense as his rebound and block numbers would indicate, but he’s still solidly valuable and he’s not even 30 yet.
I’m mind-blown that Drummond isn’t 30 yet (or even 29!). He’s been in the league for about a decade.
If several other teams want Drummond then what makes them think he’s gonna sign for the vet min?
Coby White is terrible
At least we agree on something Terry will eventually be Injury insurance for Lavine just not this year. He’s only 19 and has to put on some muscle but the talent is there so White is gonna be here at least for this year I think. If Ball and Lavine both come back healthy then he might go at the deadline for some hot dog buns or something they might need.
Bulls sign LaVine to 215 over five, hope they trade him soon after.
Andre Drummond, Gallinari or Bamba would be nice.
Gallinari would make sense for them at the 4. I think they’ve lost some wing depth defensively though, losing Derrick Jones jr, and Troy Brown, so curious to see what they do there. Obviously they have dosunmu and they drafted Terry, but I feel like they need something else there.
They also need a backup big that can defend pick and roll, and protect the rim, but they really can also use someone that can play small ball 5, as that was an issue for them last year. Looney would have been great for them
LaVines contract will instantly become one of the worst in the league. We can’t win with what we’re already paying him, so let’s pay him more?
Not surprised about LaVine as it seems like he is the only big name to want to be with the Bulls.. I laugh whenever I hear this or that big time player may be interested in coming to the Bulls.. They are only interested in the Bulls for FA leverage to get an increase in a contract offer from another team. The Bulls Org seems to be nothing but a punchline to big time players. The Bulls will actually have to win something and see big time development from their own players before anyone takes a chance on the Bulls org…