NBA speculations, Bulls are encouraged to exercise patience with the Zach LaVine trade market

In the realm of NBA deals, two “D” terms are particularly prominent: deadlines and desperation.

Zach LaVine’s journey away from the Chicago Bulls may ultimately be unlocked by any of those two factors, if not both.

Even if the two-time All-Star and frequent participant in trade rumors said all the right things during Bulls Media Day, none of them will actually affect his ranking as one of the players most likely to switch locker rooms in 2024–2025.

The Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley stated that the Bulls are “actively” looking to trade for LaVine, if there was ever any doubt about it. Logically, it’s the next phase in their long-overdue but hopefully finally occurring reconstruction project.

Now, there’s a difference between looking for a discount and really discovering one. LaVine would be taking part in someone else’s training camp if he had a strong trade market—or, indeed, any market value at all. However, that market doesn’t exist as of yet.

Zach LaVine’s Value to the Chicago Bulls:

That most likely won’t alter very soon. Not after an injury-plagued season in which he appeared in only 25 games prior to having season-ending surgery on February 8.

Not only must he play again, but he must also persuade someone that he is worthy of the enormous sum of money he is owed—$89 million for the next two seasons plus a player option worth $49 million for 2026–2027, according to Spotrac.

That won’t be simple, especially given the current economic climate facing the NBA. And that’s before accounting for LaVine’s tarnished reputation as a manufacturer of empty calories. He only made one playoff trip in his ten NBA seasons, and that one trip only went as far as the first round.

It is true that he is not a desirable trade target. However, that could alter in the future.

To begin with, his return to action may significantly increase his value. Though his numbers may not have resulted in many victories, they are still among the best on the offensive end when he is healthy.

He had a four-year streak of at least 24 points, four assists, and 2.5 three-pointers every campaign before this past season. Only Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Dončić were able to accomplish the same accomplishment.

It takes LaVine some time to remind people that he is that talented.

It’s reasonable to expect he can do that based on his past performance (health permitting, of course). Giving him the stage to accomplish that shouldn’t be too difficult for Chicago.

There aren’t as many mouths to feed in this offense with DeMar DeRozan off lighting the beam in Sacramento, but it needs to highlight his skills to draw in suitors.

The Bulls might then only require a little desperation from contenders or even postseason hopefuls. That seems like a certainty there. In addition to the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks (and possibly the Milwaukee Bucks if they can realize the full potential of the Giannis Antetokounmpo-Damian Lillard combination), the Eastern Conference is also loaded.

Let portions of the 2024–25 season play out, and some teams will not only have to deal with their shortcomings but also the real chance that those shortcomings may hinder them if they are not addressed. Those who are having difficulty finding consistent space, scoring, and secondary playmaking will need to decide if it is worth it to swallow the remaining portion of LaVine’s high salary.

FAQS

Conclusion: