Could Zach LaVine be available in a TRANSPORT? Chicago Bulls just signed him to a five-year max deal in mid-2022, and trading him two months into his first season under that deal might seem a bit odd. But the team has been disappointing, going 12-18 through December 21st.
If we add to this the report from The Athletic that “LaVine and the Bulls don’t see eye to eye”With KC Johnson’s comment from “Several teammates are directing their frustration at him” At halftime of the team’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it appeared that LaVine’s future in Chicago might be rocky.
How is Zach LaVine doing in the 2022-2023 season?
LaVine was on the rise, making two consecutive All Star Game appearances before signing the new contract. Their defensive struggles during their early years in the league seemed to change, both in terms of statistical impact and superficially.
Unfortunately, LaVine’s defense has been more inconsistent this season. You still have nights where you can focus and be average. But he also has plays where he gets away from the ball and makes plays with low effort.
He threw a two-play snap in the first half of that Wolves game that may explain why teammates were frustrated with LaVine.
Audio at: https://t.co/4zxCthk2xe pic.twitter.com/skATbxxgsG
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) December 20, 2022
LaVine’s defense may be a problem, but it’s not at the devastating level of other stars like Trae Young. And his spectacular offensive game made up for many of those flaws. But he started experiencing pain in one knee in January of last season. An offseason surgery hasn’t fully resolved those issues: He missed the first two games of the season for maintenance on that knee. His burst at the rim wasn’t the same either.
That decline has seen LaVine’s scoring average drop from 24.4 points per game last season to 21.7 this year, and his true shooting percentage drop from a strong 60.5% to slightly below that. limit of the league average of 56.2%.
Even this watered down version of LaVine is still a good player. My impact salary model values him at $23.4 million at his current level of production. But he’s making a lot of money and his knee problems raise questions about whether he’s worth these checks.
Teams will have to wonder if this diminished version of LaVine is who he truly is now, or if he will be able to restore his knee health and return to peak form.
How is Zach LaVine’s contract?
If LaVine can’t get back to his old self, the team that gets him will be in big trouble. His $215 million max contract includes a player option in the fifth year of his contract, in which he will earn $49 million.
| Time | Age | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 27 | 37.1 million |
| 2023-2024 | 28 | 40.1 million |
| 2024-2025 | 29 | 43 million |
| 2025-2026 | 30 | 46 million |
| 2026-2027* | 31 | 49 million |
* Player Choice | Data via Spotrac
Zach LaVine’s knee injury story
LaVine’s left knee has troubled him throughout his career. Tore the ACL in one knee in 2017 and also underwent surgery on the same knee in 2022 due to pain. These issues have not yet been resolved.
“Sometimes it swells up after the games and sometimes it doesn’t”Bulls coach Billy Donovan said at the start of the season. “He’s having discomfort. He’s not feeling very well. The truth is, it depends on the moment.”
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Zach LaVine’s Possible Future Destination: Lakers, Knicks, Mavs, Raptors?
LaVine cannot be traded until January 15th. Where could I go after this date? To be clear, this is pure speculation and not a report, but there are a few groups that make sense.
The Bulls don’t have much room for the luxury tax and won’t pay it at all for the disarmament, so any trade idea has to involve them taking less salary. They are also likely to be looking for useful young players, expiring contracts and draft picks.
Past trades during the offseason can give you an idea of what the market is for an All-Star like LaVine. The Hawks traded three first-round picks, including two unprotected, and a trade pick for Dejounte Murray. The Wolves traded four first-round picks, including three protected, a 2022 first-round pick and a trade pick for Rudy Gobert. And the Cavs traded useful young players Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two trade picks for Donovan Mitchell.
You can argue about how LaVine fits with those players, but the minimum pay appears to be multiple first-round picks and young players.
The Lakers are in desperate need of shooters and they make sense in terms of need. LaVine can certainly provide that, whether it’s shooting off the dribble, coming off screens, or chasing down. And in the past he has expressed his desire to play with LeBron. They would have to trade Russell Westbrook to match the salaries. The Bulls will also need to add some extra salary.
The problem with the Lakers is that their 2027 and 2029 draft picks likely won’t be enough to seal the deal. These teams are too far in the future to solve the problems. The Lakers have seven second-round picks and a trade pick in 2028 they could add, but it’s probably not the best offer the Bulls could have for LaVine.
Could LaVine reunite with former Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau in New York? Thibodeau has always spoken fondly of LaVine, calling him a “hard worker” and a “gym rat” who gets better every year. And the Knicks are desperate to trade a star player after losing Donovan Mitchell. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPNThey were thinking about Chicago all year.
The Knicks potentially have eight first-round picks and 10 second-round picks available for trade. Rumors said they offered three unprotected first-round picks and some of their young players for Mitchell.
LaVine doesn’t appear to be at Mitchell’s level anymore, but maybe two unprotected picks, a few trades, a promising young player like Cam Reddish, Immanuel Quickley or Obi Toppin and the addition of Derrick Rose and Evan Fournier to match with wages he could make a deal.
The Mavs desperately need someone to lighten the load on Luka Doncic. LaVine could help space the floor when Doncic has the ball and provide immediate offense in the same role that Jalen Brunson did last season.
Davis Bertans, Tim Hardaway Jr. and a promising Josh Green would allow them to match LaVine’s salary. And they have first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 that could be moved. But like the Lakers’ best offer, these picks are too far behind the schedule to improve the Bulls’ situation.
Finally, the Raptors could be buyers or sellers in this market. If they choose to buy, they will have to upgrade a rotten midfield attack that ranks 29th in the league. They have all of their first round picks to give away and also have six second round picks.
LaVine and some small salaries could match Fred VanVleet, who had a disappointing year, and shooter Gary Trent Jr. The Raptors will likely have to shed at least two unprotected picks in this deal.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
