The trade market for Zach LaVine has been cold and there’s a real possibility he’ll remain on the Bulls roster through the season, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes.
Word leaked early in the season that LaVine was open to being moved but there’s been little traction in that regard. His recent foot injury and modest production since his return hasn’t helped that cause.
However, LaVine seems to be focused on contributing to the team, rather than a fresh start.
“In my conversations with Zach — and again he’s never really talked about his future, his feelings toward the organization and the team, never anything like that — everything he’s talked about is: How does he help the group? And it’s always been really positive, constructive conversations with him,” coach Billy Donovan said. ‘I know there is a lot of reporting and things that were out there about what potentially may or may not happen, but my conversations with him leading into his return was he needed to come in and help the group any way he could.”
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- Dalen Terry has received steady minutes and the 2022 first-rounder is earning Donovan’s trust, according to Cowley. “The thing I like about him is [that] as a young player, maybe getting consistent minutes this year where last year he didn’t, you know there’s going to be these moments of down where he’s not going to play well,” Donovan said. “I always try and look at younger players as, ‘How do they come back and respond?’ . . . It’s not even making or missing shots, [but] defensive rotations, assignments, sending a guy left and he doesn’t do that, or [he] forgets to block out, leaves his feet on a shot fake and fouls a shooter. Those are the things that he’s got to get more consistent on. [But] when he’s had games where he’s done those things, he’s always come back and responded really well, and I always think that’s a good sign.”
- Andre Drummond has put up impressive stats while starting the last seven games but he’s headed back to his usual bench role on Wednesday, Cowley reports. Drummond averaged 14 points and a whopping 17.4 rebounds per game during that span as the Bulls went 4-3. Nikola Vucevic has been eased back into the rotation since returning from a groin injury but he’ll start against the Rockets. “Vooch brings a different thing to the table as far as what he does offensively,” Donovan said.
- In case you missed it, the Bulls haven’t dismissed the possibility of including Lonzo Ball‘s contract as part of a trade package to upgrade the team.
I doubt that this would happen, but an idea would be start Drummond and have Vooch as a backup. Just seemed to me that the starting lineup was a tad better with Drummond starting.
As for Lavine I would do the same. Maybe the most expensive bench in NBA.
Vucevic and Carter for Chris Paul and Santos
Nobody wants Santos smh
Contract filler. Makes the trade work duh. Who wants Chris Paul smh
I’ve said they need to dump Lonzo since the news broke ab his injury setbacks.
Hornets. Call em up. See if you can do a Hayward deal. Send them Lonzo, Pat William’s and a SRP for Hayward. Move on.
Worst idea for a trade I’ve ever read, wtf at this point just ride out Lonzos contract
This organization is garbage, Zach Lavine is a losing player with cool stats I guess, Vuc is the worst player in the league making 20 mil a year, owner is a joke and a thief and executives are morons who are just friendly to the owner who is satan
Hes most definitely better than dillon brooks. Also had a 3.2 vorp last year which is really good.
Don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
It’s all his fault…
100% its jerry’s fault
Joparx: That’s just silly.
What more does Drummond have to do?
Drummond is starting center level and a great rebounder. Has 0 value as a floor spacer, though. Sorry to say, the 3 point numbers dipping with Vuc out are related. You need Vuc out there to keep centers honest and for floor spacing.
Drummond, as much as I love him, does stat pad. Saw one game I counted 3 times he stole rebounds from other players. He’s a great rebounder but often his numbers are a bit inflated.
Vooch, Williams, and LaVine should be traded!
Since the lakers are hesitant why won’t the pistons trade for Lavine??? They need to make quite a few moves.
LaVine doesn’t make sense for them. Tying their franchise to him would ensure they stay bad for the next 3 years.
Lakers shouldn’t have picked up Russ either but did. We all know they prefer the popular player over the better fit.
Jordan Poole for ball?
I’d pay to see Lakers trade for Poole lol
Ball is owed 21.5 next yr plus what’s left this yr. Who’s going to take that and for what. Are Bulls giving up their pick for that ??
LaVine has 140 mill left and 3yrs on his contract after this yr. All the rumors, reports. Are he is not generating heavy interest. So Bulls would be fools to trade him now. They will get much more at end of yr or before the draft.
Bulls should really be considering a full rebuild at this point.
Why not start both Vucevic and Drummond? Both are more productive than Patrick Williams.
Williams is an SF that is being played as a PF.
Vooch and Andre with Vooch at PF might be interesting.
Agree pat is a 3, but vuc/dre combo would be a nightmare. Spacing would be bad (vucs inside game would be affected by Drummond clogging the paint) and neither can move their feet well enough to play 4 on defense