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After missing the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven seasons, the Chicago Bulls may not be as committed to Zach LaVine going forward as they once seemed to be.
In a recent mailbag, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago noted there is a sense that Chicago’s asking price for LaVine in a trade “has dropped significantly” compared to what it was previously.
LaVine spent most of the 2023-24 season as the subject of trade rumors, but no deal ever materialized in part because the Bulls’ asking price from teams was steep.
Johnson noted Chicago previously sought “All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both” if it was going to move LaVine.
It’s unclear what the Bulls’ asking price would be right now, but there does seem to be an expectation a trade this offseason is more realistic than it was leading up to the trade deadline in February.
In an April report from Johnson, the “main offseason priority” for Chicago’s front office is finding a trade partner for LaVine. This could be easier said than done because of his contract and health status.
LaVine is owed $89 million over the next two seasons with a $48.97 million player option for 2026-27. He only played 25 games this season due to a foot injury that required surgery in February.
The recovery time is four to six months, which would have LaVine back before the start of training camp.
This figures to be a pivotal offseason for the Bulls. In addition to LaVine potentially being traded, DeMar DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent and has talked about wanting to remain with the club, but also hoping to have a chance to compete for a title.
Lonzo Ball, who has reportedly picked up his $21.4 million player option, is working his way back after sitting out the entire 2023-24 campaign due to complications from a knee injury that originally occurred in January 2022.
Johnson reported in March there is “growing buzz” that Ball will “at least try to attempt to play next season.”
The Bulls are in a good position with the salary cap. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted they are currently $37 million under the luxury tax threshold, but that could change depending on what they do with DeRozan and Patrick Williams.
Shedding LaVine’s contract would open up a lot of other possibilities for the Bulls. It could end up signaling they want to rebuild coming off back-to-back losing seasons, or they could attempt to use the savings from getting off his deal to make a big splash either in free agency or in another separate trade.
LaVine is a very good offensive player when he is healthy. The 29-year-old averaged more than 20 points per game in five consecutive seasons from 2018-19 to 2022-23.