Bulls could end up keeping Zach LaVine this season, and beyond

Trade rumors surrounding Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine aren’t dying anytime soon. But LaVine’s run with the Bulls may not end anytime soon, either.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 8. That gives the Bulls about three weeks to pull off a deal. They reportedly have been trying since about, oh, early November.

In other words, if they haven’t been able to make a LaVine trade already, it just might not be in the cards, as relayed by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

“Thus far, the buzz has been nearly silent,” Pincus wrote. “Outside of speculation that the Lakers will eventually make a play (perhaps if they miss out on Dejounte Murray), most believe LaVine will stick around Chicago through the year or even longer. The Bulls have a reputation for keeping their intentions relatively quiet. There’s no real noise that players such as DeMar DeRozan or Alex Caruso might become available. The team has shopped LaVine, but the Bulls remain an enigma to many.”

Lavine’s deal may indeed be a sticking point, per multiple reports. He signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. That means he is due $40 million this season and $43 million next. He will then earn $45 million in 2025-26. 

LaVine is averaging 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season, shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent on 3-pointers. The Bulls are just 9-15 with him in the lineup, 10-7 without him. LaVine has undergone two knee surgeries in his career and missed 17 games this season with foot inflammation.

LaVine, 28, has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.