The Chicago Bulls finished the 2021-22 season 46-36, their best record in 2014-15, when they won 50 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
This year’s first-round playoff loss to the Milwaukee Bucks wasn’t ideal for the Bulls, but the entire season has been a huge success for them as a team.
DeMar DeRozan ranks second in the league in scoring (2,118), Chicago has learned a lot from their young talent, and Zach LaVine continues to claim himself as the league’s true All-Star threaten.
However, going into the offseason, there is a certain level of concern within the Bulls about Zach LaVine. His knee issues are one thing, but the main concern right now is that LaVine is an unrestricted free agent.
Throughout the 2021-22 season, many speculated that it would be a no-brainer for the All-Star shooting guard to re-sign with the Bulls as soon as free agency began, but now, things seem to be going the other way. move in the direction.
Zach LaVine does appear to be “indecisive” about where he wants to play, and while he does have an interest in the Bulls, he says he wants to experience being a true free agent.
About a week ago, ESPN Brian Windhorst mentioned in his article hoop collective podcast While LaVine was once considered “out of the market,” the feeling in the league is that he’s more open to listening to new offers from other teams than many think.
Zach LaVine hasn’t said he’s leaving the Bulls or thinking about leaving Chicago, but Windhorst mentioned that the way the All-Star approaches his impending free agency is changing what he’s going to do this summer.
“I’m going to enjoy free agency,” LaVine says After the Bulls lost to the Bucks in the playoffs. “We’re going to have to go through A to Z without making any quick decisions. I think it’s me and [agent Rich Paul] experience and experience. “
Portland Trail Blazers been mentioned A possible suitor for the Bulls’ All-Star guard in recent weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers are now talking up LaVine’s performance in free agency.
LaVar Ball, father of NBA guards Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, recently said He believes LaVine should and will sign with the Lakers this offseason.
How much truth this all has is definitely questionable, but the question of whether LaVine has doubts about Chicago is very real right now.
KC Johnson of NBC Sports It was recently reported that Zach LaVine’s return to the Bulls in free agency “is no longer considered the slam dunk he once was.” With plenty of teams able to carve out a max contract spot on their roster this offseason, and with a weaker-than-usual free agency class this year, LaVine stands out as the best talent, putting a lot of pressure on the Bulls. .
The situation has suddenly become one of the “must-see” events of this summer’s NBA offseason, as Zach LaVine is fully expected to give every team that approaches him a time of day to show why they should join them reason.
Once again, the Chicago Bulls are still struggling to keep their All-Star and are planning to make an aggressive offer to keep him, but ultimately, LaVine will get the new contract he wants.
If he wants a max contract in free agency and the Bulls are unwilling to give him the money he says, it’s not hard to believe that Zach LaVine has already played his last game in a Chicago Bulls uniform.
Related stories from NBA Rumors:
- Post-NBA lottery NBA deals that may start to take shape: With the full 2022 NBA draft order set following Tuesday night’s NBA draft lottery, here are some large-scale hypothetical trades that we could start to see gradually gaining traction in the draft and free agency this offseason. click here.
- New York Knicks reportedly interested in Starguard: The New York Knicks are interested in Indiana Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon, according to Mark Berman of The New York Post. click here.
