Report: Zach LaVine Has Vowed Not To Overstep Or Stunt Development Of Bulls’ Younger Players

According to NBA reporter Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, Zach LaVine has vowed not to overstep or stunt the development of the Chicago Bulls‘ younger players. 

LaVine has been a willing participant in team activities.

“In preparation for the start of next week’s training camp, LaVine has been a willing participant in team activities, according to team sources,” Mayberry reported. “He joined the majority of his teammates in Miami last month for a player-organized minicamp.”

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

A two-time All-Star and a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, 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. The shooting guard will make $43 million in 2024-25. 

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.

“LaVine, who was expected to be traded this summer along with DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, put the past aside,” Mayberry reported. “For two days, a team source said, LaVine played pick-up games and began the process of building chemistry in Florida before having to return to his home in California for personal reasons. … Now, there are legitimate questions of how LaVine fits on a team with young talent emerging. But in offseason conversations with Bulls leadership, including coach Billy Donovan, LaVine has vowed not to overstep or stunt the development of younger players, according to a team source.”

The Bulls have been trying to trade LaVine for over a year. However, rival teams want additional compensation for taking on LaVine’s massive contract and Chicago has refused to attach additional resources to move the veteran. 

LaVine has only made the playoffs once in his NBA career. That was in 2022. The Bulls lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2022 postseason in five quick games.