Report: Zach LaVine ‘Annoyed’ Bulls With Decision To Have Season-Ending Surgery

According to NBA reporter Jamal Collier of ESPN, Zach LaVine “annoyed” the Chicago Bulls with his decision to have season-ending surgery.

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

“LaVine also annoyed the organization with his decision to have season-ending surgery in February — a decision the Bulls were sure to note in a news release was a route chosen by LaVine and his agent, Rich Paul, instead of rehabbing with hopes to play the rest of the season,” Collier reported. 

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

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

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 massive 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 Timberwolves and Bulls. He has a 216-364 record in the NBA. 

“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.”

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). 

However, the Lakers are not expected to pursue a LaVine trade, sources said. LaVine’s trade value is essentially non-existent. He’s coming off surgery and has three years and $138 million left on his contract.