Member Of Bulls Rips Zach LaVine: ‘He’s Done It His Way The Whole Way And Never Won’

A member of the Chicago Bulls ripped Zach LaVine during a conversation with NBA reporter Jamal Collier of ESPN. 

LaVine and the Bulls want to part ways, but Chicago hasn’t found a taker for the guard due to his injury history and contract. 

“He’s never won, he’s done it his way the whole way and never won,” a team source told ESPN. “If he’s interested in winning, he’ll do what’s asked of him. And if he’s motivated to not be here, one way is to come, be compliant and be who he is.”

LaVine played in only 25 games in 2023-24. He underwent season-ending right foot surgery in February.

A two-time All-Star, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24 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.

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. He has a 216-364 record in the NBA. 

The Bulls acquired LaVine from the Timberwolves in 2017. They have made the postseason once in the LaVine era. 

“LaVine has also felt singled out during film sessions and feels like he has taken too much blame for the team’s losing during his tenure — which has produced one playoff appearance in seven years — despite other roster failings, sources told ESPN,” Collier reported. “Billy Donovan, meanwhile, believes he’s been trying to get LaVine to buy in to a more team-friendly playing style, according to sources, emphasizing the way the Bulls competed in LaVine’s absence last year as evidence for the team’s potential if LaVine fits within the system.

“Donovan flew to Los Angeles for a few days in July to spend time with LaVine and continue to invest in their relationship, the feedback from which was positive, per sources.”

Despite LaVine’s name sitting at the center of trade speculation for months, the Bulls are preparing to welcome him back to training camp this fall.