Chicago’s two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine has been the face of the franchise since acquiring him in 2017. In those eight years, the Bulls have only reached the postseason once, featuring a 1-4 series loss to the Milwaukee Bucks a few years ago. In the last two years, they’ve been eliminated in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a chance to earn the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference. Amidst the continued mediocrity, LaVine has been raking in one of the most lucrative contracts leaguewide, yet has failed to be named to the NBA’s All-Star nominees for the last two years. Last season’s trade deadline was the closest Chicago has ever been to trading away their star guard until days before the cutoff, when LaVine announced he was undergoing season-ending surgery, ending any trade talks and his 2023-24 campaign entirely. There was a point in January of 2024 when LaVine’s camp was avidly pushing to be traded away, including releasing a list of preferred destinations for the former UCLA Bruin. With trade buzz surrounding his name again this year, here’s his opinion on what threads to wear next.
LaVine Wants To Remain A Chicago Bull
After a rough three-year stretch of continuous trade rumors and speculation surrounding LaVine and his camp, his most recent remarks suggest his preferred destination is to stay put. Jimmy Butler’s activity in Miami, Bradley Beal’s desire to leave Phoenix, and Milwaukee’s desire to add star power in the next two weeks led winding roads to Chicago, where LaVine’s name has been a common theme. His contract is comparable to those of those two stars, and his skill set would be a perfect fit for the Bucks or Heat, to name a few. Despite the noise, LaVine is content with where he is.
Playing At An All-Star Level
After an incredibly slow start to his 2024-25 season, LaVine in January has been incredible. His scoring numbers and shooting efficiency stack up with the best leaguewide, and he’s top-five in points scored and points per game. While it’s too late for his All-Star campaign, and that ship has sailed to earn his third career All-Star nod, his trade stock has risen over the last few weeks of stellar performances. With Chicago’s 19-26 record, good for tenth in the Eastern Conference standings, look for them to shop him still. His contract is less expensive than Beal or Butler, he’s younger than both, a better perimeter scorer than both, and he has shown fewer attitude issues off the court than the other All-Star guards. Despite his wishes to stay put, if the Bulls continue their downward slide in the next 13 days, he could be one of the most significant pieces moved before the trade deadline.
Is it time for Chicago to throw in the towel on this year and LaVine’s career as a Bull?
