Report: Zach LaVine, Bulls ‘Motivated’ To Part Ways This Offseason

According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls are “motivated” to part ways this offseason. 

The Bulls will attempt to trade LaVine this offseason after failing to find a taker for him this season.

“Content may be the wrong word, and I do get the sense both sides are motivated to make something work this offseason,” Johnson wrote in his latest mailbag. “I don’t think the Bulls will take an awful deal if little materializes, but I do get the sense they’re open to more possibilities than before. More to the point: I’ve reported before what their asking price was—All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both—and my sense is that it has dropped significantly.

“As I’ve said from the beginning regarding this situation: This is like a relationship that has run its course. And you’re right: Both sides have remained very professional to this point, and I expect that to continue. But the desire from both sides to make a change has grown.”

LaVine played in just 25 games this season. He underwent season-ending right foot surgery in February.

A two-time All-Star, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line.

LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He’ll make $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26.

A UCLA product, LaVine has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bulls. Chicago has won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from Minnesota in 2017. 

A source told Hoops Wire that LaVine “would like” to get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. LaVine, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group). 

NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic doesn’t expect the Lakers to pursue a LaVine trade with the Bulls this offseason.