When it comes to trade rumors, Bulls wing Zach LaVine is near the top of the list. Speculation about LaVine’s future has been rampant ever since a report surfaced in mid-November that he was increasingly open to being traded.
With the trade deadline only a few weeks out, LaVine says he’s only thinking about the Bulls’ recent surge. They were 4-1 since LaVine returned from a foot injury entering their game against Cleveland on Monday night.
“We’re winning,” said LaVine said, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “There’s nothing better than that. I don’t think about (trades) at all. Unless I get a call from my agent, it’s just another day at the office for me. I’m glad to be out here playing. I’ve been in trade talks for a long time, obviously. I think this year was bigger than years prior. But at the end of the day, it’s nothing new.”
LaVine’s maximum-salary contract, injury history and iffy defense has made it difficult to build a market for him. The two-time All-Star is also averaging just 20.1 points per game, his lowest figure since the 2017/18 season.
He’s taken fewer shots this month while averaging 16.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per night. In two of the five games, LaVine only attempted eight field goals.
LaVine says he’s fine with that.
“We’re in a good rhythm. Offensively, I didn’t have as much output scoring,” he said. “But I feel like I impacted the game the right way and we got the wins. I know who I am and what I can do on the court. So we’ll keep going with it.”
The fact he’s been able to play 35.6 minutes per game after missing over a month of action has been encouraging.
“Couple overtime games, back-to-back kicks you in shape pretty quick. I’m tired, sore but I feel good overall and happy to be back on the court,” LaVine said. “And I think I’ve been solid considering the fact I missed 17 games. I feel I found a rhythm pretty quickly and been able to do a lot of things on the court, including defensively.”
At this point, LaVine seems content with staying put.
“As long as I have a Bulls jersey on, I have no inclination of looking into the future of if I’ll be here,” he said.
Is this an Onion article? Lol
He’s def thinking about trades…..
Small sample size, but it looks like he’s playing more team ball. The article points out that his scoring is down, but rebounds and assists are up. Only 11, 8, 15, 15, and 8 shots in his five games back. Only 11.4 per game compared to 16.5 before the injury.
Maybe the Bulls have something cooking here? 14-8 in their last 22 after starting 5-14. If they keep it up, maybe they won’t be sellers. Never been a LaVine fan, but he seems to be adjusting his game a bit.
What a coincidence! Nobody else in the league is thinking about a LaVine trade either!
Fixing the Bulls in 30 seconds:
Caruso for a FRP, SRP, and Contract. (All contenders)
DeRozan for a FRP and Salary Matching. (Knicks, Heat, Thunder, Lakers)
LaVine for Salary Matching a FRP Swap and 2 SRPs (Nets – Simmons)
Vucevic for Salary Matching and 2 SRPs.
Pat Williams for a FRP Swap and a SRP.
Drummond for a SRP and min contract.
Lonzo Ball + a FRP for Gordon Hayward and Thor.
You’ve moved off Ball’s 20M, Vucevic’s 18M, LaVine’s 40M. Without the fll trade details, they’d be looking at 34M committed in 25-6. Plenty of cash to make a splash.
The owner would just pocket any cash instead of using it to provide a better product for fans…
Undoubtably
I think you meant to say the trade deadline is a few weeks away and not lasting a few weeks, though I was trying to conceptualize a weeks long deadline and enjoyed that, so thanks
Dude can’t wait to be traded. Players today can’t even keep it 100. Tell the truth, nobody will hold it against you.
Bulls would have to give LaVine away. If traded now or by trade deadline. He’s not going anywhere.
Someone will be desperate enough to get him.
Wiz got 5 SRP for Beal… similar player, LaVine is better imo.