Bulls Rumors: Zach LaVine, Billy Donovan, DeMar DeRozan

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan said he’s uncertain whether guard Zach LaVine will be on the Bulls beyond the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

“I have no idea. I really don’t,” Donovan said, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “There’s been nothing that I’ve had communicated as it leads into this trade deadline where it’s been, ‘Hey, he’s staying here’ [or] ‘We’re moving him.’ There’s been nothing like that. I’d hate to even speculate.

“I’ve always taken the approach that this is our team — taken the approach that he’s going to be with us the whole year, and I hope he can get healthy. . . . I go into it [believing] he’s going to be here for the rest of the season. That’s how I view it.”

• As we relayed here, the Pistons continue to be a team with interest in LaVine. Outside of that, the market is reportedly not great for the Bulls, who may also be looking to move small forward DeMar DeRozan.
• One opposing GM said he thinks Chicago just needs to gut the roster and start over. Either that or try to trade for another piece to place alongside LaVine, DeRozan and center Nikola Vucevic. “You wouldn’t think they can keep going on like this,” the GM said. “They’re just spinning their wheels.”
• The GM went on to say he thinks DeRozan (and his expiring contract) is the Bulls’ best trade chip. Many around the NBA believe DeRozan will be traded, as we relayed here.
• Along with the Pistons, the Charlotte Hornets and Golden State Warriors have expressed interest in LaVine in recent weeks, sources said. Though it’s not known how serious either team is about taking on his large contract. 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 due in 2025-26.