Confirming a previous report, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic hears from Bulls sources who say that Zach LaVine has been a “willing participant” in team scrimmages ahead of training camp. LaVine was also present for a players-led minicamp last month in Miami, Mayberry reports.
LaVine has been a prominent name in trade rumors for over a year, with the Bulls actively looking to move the two-time All-Star this summer. However, Mayberry writes that rival clubs were only interested in taking on the 29-year-old’s contract — he’s owed $138MM over the next three seasons — if Chicago sweetened the pot by adding additional assets, which was a non-starter for the Bulls.
With young guards like Josh Giddey, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu on the roster, having a veteran known for his scoring prowess like LaVine could be an awkward fit. But according to Mayberry, LaVine has stressed to team leadership that he won’t interfere with his younger teammates’ development.
Here’s more on the Bulls, all courtesy of Mayberry:
- Chicago is “cautiously optimistic” about the progress Lonzo Ball has made as he attempts to revive his career, Mayberry writes. The 26-year-old has been a full participant in offseason team workouts and will be a full go for training camp as well, Mayberry reports. Ball, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 2022 due to a left knee injury that has required three surgeries, is on an expiring $21.4MM contract. The Bulls will likely be very careful with Ball, but he has “looked good” to this point, per Mayberry.
- Forward Patrick Williams may not be ready for training camp. The 23-year-old, who had season-ending foot surgery in February, told Mayberry and other reporters he was able to run and jump without pain or swelling in July (Twitter link), but he felt some discomfort during the players-only minicamp in August and has been resting over the past handful of weeks. Williams re-signed with the Bulls as a restricted free agent over the summer, inking a five-year, $90MM contract.
- While White is expected to remain in the starting lineup alongside Giddey and LaVine, Mayberry suggests the former UNC Tar Heel may not be thrilled with an off-ball role after spending nearly all of last season as the team’s starting point guard. White had a breakout season in 2023/24, finishing runner-up for the Most Improved Player award. Trading Alex Caruso for Giddey indicates the Bulls view White as more of a scorer than a lead facilitator, Mayberry notes.
- First-rounder Matas Buzelis has been playing well in scrimmages, according to Mayberry, who says the former G League Ignite forward has particularly impressed with ability to drive and pass. Mayberry also hears the Bulls plan to adjust their playing style on both ends of the court this season.
The Bulls FO will have yet another albatross contract with giving P-Will $90 mil this offseason. Dude is a bust of a #4 pick and the Bulls should have let him walk away.
He’s not getting paid THAT much in the context of some of the contract beings thrown around, and certainly not enough to be considered an albatross.
Overpay? Sure. But if he can simply be an effective 3-and-D guy he can be worth close to that contract. The first steps are to a) be a more willing shooter and b) be more aggressive offensively overall. Even with my concerns about his mental makeup, there’s nothing technically stopping him from doing either. Time will tell.
Ideally, LaVine gets traded and Donovan gets canned. Not sure I see him having a chance to break out before both of those things happen.
LaVne’s not getting traded this year. There’s still too much money left. And he’s not getting traded at all if he can’t prove he can make it through a whole season. Buzelis a match up nightmare for the other team as a 3. Giddey is a match up nightmare as a 1. Vujevic is old and can’t defend anymore and needed help and once again they got him none. Like Arthur said Williams is a tweener. Which basically means he’s good at nothing. Now you can say that 15 million isn’t a lot of money in a 190 million cap league. But it is if the guy can’t play anywhere plus can’t stay on the court. He’s hurt again already for cripes sake. But Donovan will play everybody out of position again, They’ll get their brains beat out again, And I won’t watch anymore again. At least not if there is something better on. And a 3 Stooges marathon would do it. Better 3 Stoooges than 15. Can’t wait until we roll with the 4 PG line up. Watch for it, It’s coming.
Agreed. Can’t understand why the front office doesn’t try to add more size. Bulls acquired Jalen Smith which will help. Need one more athletic big man. Like Dallas with Lively and Gafford. Donovan is a good coach. Can only play with the players on the roster. Donovan makes the best of the situation.
Looking forward to this Risacher vs Buzelis rivalry for the next decade or so. Similar game, similar body type, same age, same conference & they alr have a lil beef. I think the Hawks prob would have drafted Matas if not for us winning the lottery. As many similarities as these guys have, Zacch is definitely the better player tho. And he’s better in pretty much every way except maybe toughness, which continues to be 1 of our main/few weaknesses. Matas is extremely tough minded but he’s skillful as well. He reminds me of a mix of Nocioni & Kukoc. I’m loving the fact that he’s gonna get a lot of pt this season… link to m.youtube.com
Bulls have to get LaVine playing well. Then move him for picks, young players. Tank for draft next yr. A top 10 pick can be a star. Definitely a future starter. All about the draft ……
Good to know that LaVine is going to be a professional about everything. I mean you can’t really expect a guy to show up and play for a measly 45 million can you? Nice to know the Bulls are going to keep pounding Williams into that 4 hole that he has no business playing, Instead of actually drafting or finding a guy who can help Vujevic on the boards like a normal team would. So if White is mad he’s not the PG anymore, How’s he going to feel when Ball gets tossed into the equation? Sorry to hear from Arthur in the chat that Donovan isn’t getting fired anytime soon because this team is headed for an all out head scratching team brawl with all the bad personnel allocations and wasted resources. They may not be the White Sox yet but they’re definitely on the way. Because a team with 3 PG’s and zero PF’s is the proper way to build a team right?
Bulls have 7 guards. Don’t know how it will work unless Donovan just tells 2 or 3 of the guards that they aren’t playing which is all that Donovan can do. LaVine, White, Dosunmu, Giddey, Carter, Ball and Duarte.