The trade market for Zach LaVine isn’t exactly sky-high right now, but that doesn’t mean the Chicago Bulls have any intention of giving him away.
Per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls continue to seek a “strong return” for their starting shooting guard (when healthy, that is).
“To this point, a source said, the Bulls haven’t moved off their stance of seeking a strong return for LaVine,” Johnson wrote. “In other words, at least as of recently, the Bulls aren’t looking to move LaVine simply as a cost-saving move or in ‘addition by subtraction’ thinking.”
For the record, LaVine is currently expected to miss at least another week with a sprained ankle. He missed 17 games previously with a foot inflammation. He’s appeared in just 25 games overall this season.
The Bulls and Detroit Pistons recently held talks on a possible LaVine trade, which also involved Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, according to James Edwards III of The Athletic.
Beyond that, the Bulls don’t seem to be getting anywhere in their attempts to move LaVine. Part of that may be injuries. Part of it may be his contract. Whatever the reason, many believe the Bulls won’t be able to trade him this season.
Lavine is averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 34.9 on 3-pointers. He signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022 — and is making $40.1 million this season, with $43 million due next season and $45 million in 2025-26.
He has NBA career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.
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