It has felt like forever since trade rumors involving All-Star guard Zach LaVine started. Just recently, the Chicago Bulls have sent out a surprising update regarding their asking price for the two-time Slam Dunk champion.
LaVine first entered the league as the Minnesota Timberwolves 13th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Since then, he has established himself as a credible scoring threat from all three levels of the court, while growing in popularity as one of the premier dunkers of his generation. However, his time in the Twin Cities with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns never resulted in playoff success.
In 2017, LaVine was traded to the Bulls in exchange for Jimmy Butler. Upon arrival, the 6’5″ guard became Chicago’s number one option on offense after averaging 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists during his time as a third option in Minnesota. Along with DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, the two-time All-Star led their team to a playoff appearance in 2022.
However, injuries to their key players killed any momentum the team had to become better in subsequent years. Even if that’s the case, LaVine still posted 24.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game during his seven-season run with the Bulls.
Chicago Bulls’ Price For Zach LaVine Trade Gets Surprising Update
Due to injuries and a failure to lead Chicago to postseason success, various teams around the league have been waiting to see whether LaVine will be placed on the trading block. The Bulls’ front office, as led by general manager Artūras Karnišovas, has sent out a surprising update in an article written by K.C. Johnson for NBC Sports.
“Content may be the wrong word, and I do get the sense both sides are motivated to make something work this offseason. I don’t think the Bulls will take an awful deal if little materializes, but I do get the sense they’re open to more possibilities than before. More to the point: I’ve reported before what their asking price was—All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both—and my sense is that it has dropped significantly.
As I’ve said from the beginning regarding this situation: This is like a relationship that has run its course. And you’re right: Both sides have remained very professional to this point, and I expect that to continue. But the desire from both sides to make a change has grown,” Johnson wrote.
Judging from what was written, it looks like a LaVine trade is more possible now in the offseason and that the Bulls’ asking price on the two-time Slam Dunk champion has gone down. Doing so will give Chicago a solid chance to retool in the coming months, especially with the improvement of point guard Coby White last season.
It remains to be seen where LaVine will land soon or if he’ll stay in Chicago. In any case, a lot of eyes will be on both parties to see how this storyline will play out.
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