The Bulls haven’t been able to generate much interest since putting Zach LaVine on the trade market last fall, but maybe they’re better off keeping him. LaVine looked like a dominant scorer again Saturday night, pouring in 28 points in 22 minutes while making all six of his three-point attempts, writes Sam Smith of NBA.com.
“Zach was really decisive,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He took his shots when they were there. What was encouraging on the threes, there was no hesitation; he just went up and shot it. He got off to a great start, shot unbelievable from three. He can get on a run. He can go 0-for-4 and then come back and make 6-for-6, so I never worry (if he’s missing). I thought he was really decisive, and when he had daylight and a crack he shot it. We need him to do that. When he’s got a head of steam, his athletic ability and his ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor, he’s really hard to guard. He is one of the better open floor players in transition.”
LaVine played just 25 games last season, so any potential trade interest was cooled by concerns over his physical condition, along with a contract that will pay him $43MM this year, $46MM next season and has a $49MM player option for 2026/27. However, he can still be very valuable if’s fully healthy, which it appears he may be. Smith states that LaVine displayed “quick twitch speed and easy motion” that hasn’t been part of his game for the past two years.
There’s more from Chicago:
- Second-year small forward Julian Phillips also made an impact on Saturday, scoring 21 points and hitting 5-of-8 shots from beyond the arc, Smith adds. He displayed chemistry with new point guard Josh Giddey, and Smith suggests he might be the catch-and-shoot option the team has been looking for. “Julian, he’s been really good,” Donovan said. “He had some good drives and (he) didn’t have to go up in traffic, but he’s played really, really well. He’s a good cutter, very active on the glass and he’s shot the ball well. I don’t think that was a fluke tonight. I feel very comfortable with him shooting the basketball.”
- The Bulls suffered two notable injuries Saturday night, but neither appears serious. Ayo Dosunmu got a shoulder stinger while diving for a loose ball, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). He wanted to return to the game, but trainers wouldn’t let him. Patrick Williams left the game after jamming his wrist, but X-rays taken at halftime were negative, Johnson tweets.
- In an interview with Spencer Davies of Responsible Gambler, rookie Matas Buzelis said he doesn’t regret his decision to play for G League Ignite instead of developing his game in college. “They showed me the NBA schedule you’ve got to follow, they showed me how to play against NBA players, they showed me how to compete, and [I had] NBA coaching and training,” Buzelis said. “But they really instilled a lot of stuff in me about the NBA, so I feel like I have a slight advantage walking into my rookie year.”
Brabo
October 12, 2024
Zach is trash, he cant lead a team to wins. Why would they ruin Coby White’s career who showed a lot of promise last season in favor of an older, worse defender and more injury prone player?
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Yes Only trash scores 28 pts in an NBA game.
I know there are fools in life. Especially on the internet. I don’t understand criticism. That shows your ignorance and maturity.
On a more serious note ……..
At this point I think you have to move Zach. So let’s face it. No one is giving you value. Not when you put feelers out there, not now. He’s coming back from an injury. Zach has to play.
A healthy Zach is still a top scorer in this league. That Zach Will get value on trade front. Bulls should be looking to next yrs draft. Buzelis is a nice pick. But he needs time. Josh is the future. Play Williams at the 3. Imo eventually Buzelis can play the 4.
Zach’s value in a trade is a big key for Bulls future success. Next yrs draft lottery is loaded. Even the 1st rd is strong. Bulls fans should be rooting for Zach to ball out.
The Bulls also have to finish in the bottom 10 just to keep their 1st Round pick; otherwise it converts in a previous trade.
This makes it a really tough decision for the Bulls management on what they do this year. I mean, obviously the coach and the players are going to try their best to win, but it definitely puts the front office in an unenviable spot because they’re a team that desperately needs to rebuild around their younger core and like you said next year’s draft is loaded.
I’ve been a lifelong Bulls fan, and I’m so confused on what to root for this year..lol
I think if Phillips and Terry can both emerge into valuable role players this season, then the Bulls should be a contender for one of the final playoff spots pretty easily.
No matter what this team still lacks a true PF, and they’re almost always going to be playing undersized, especially in 3 guard lineups most of the time having either Pat Williams, Phillips, or Buzelis out of position playing the 4 and Jalen Smith and Vucevic at the 5…
Didn’t know that. Still 1st rd pick is solid.
Bulls are young enough to wait on another draft. The key is Zach. Bulls can redo in one year.
Zach can bring back a 4.
Watch the bulls win too many games and be screwed…no plan at all…
Bulls are going to be in basketball purgatory for a while. No one on their roster is a top-20 player. Maybe not even top-30 so idk how you win without one elite player.
It’s obviously an owner issue at the Bulls…
“Just do enough to sell tickets”
LaVine isn’t the problem… He’d be an excellent number 2 option on a lot of teams…