Four teams linked with Zach LaVine in free agency as Bulls guard ponder future

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Getty Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls and Dorian Finney-Smith of the Dallas Mavericks.

The Chicago Bulls will go into this offseason with one question: Will Zach LaVine retire? After a non-binding exit interview stirred the pot, a slew of reports have surfaced that LaVine may dump the bulls this summer.

NBC Sports’ KC Johnson recently published an article that provided some insight into LaVine’s situation. According to the insider, LaVine’s reunion with the Bulls this offseason “will no longer be viewed as the slam dunk it once was.”

He also mentioned that several teams have already been connected to LaVine. Johnson listed four teams that have been linked to the Bulls star through the rumor mill.

“What’s certain is that this week’s league gossip has linked LaVine to at least four teams — Lakers, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, Hawks — almost certainly more to come,” Johnson reported.

Although these four teams are all in very different situations, each would benefit from adding LaVine to the roster. However, not all would be able to sign the star directly. This would open the door to potential sign-and-trade opportunities for Chicago.

Possible packages for LaVine this off-season

LaVar Ball recently suggested that LaVine plans to join the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, but his path to getting there would be a treacherous one. Since the Lakers don’t have enough cap space to sign him, the Bulls would have to maintain a sign-and-trade. And while a hometown reunion with Anthony Davis sounds nice, the more likely scenario would be Russell Westbrook in the Windy City.

The Bulls are unlikely to consider that option, meaning LaVine’s hopes of a LeBron James connection would be dashed. However, the other three teams Johnson noted could offer much more enticing packages.

The Dallas Mavericks could offer two from Jalen Brunson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber, giving the Bulls some much-needed all-around depth. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks could be ready to offer a package involving either John Collins or De’Andre Hunter.

Of the four, the Portland Trail Blazers are the only team that could sign LaVine directly, though they would first have to terminate Eric Bledsoe’s contract. But if they wanted to engage in sign-and-trade talks, the Bulls could include swingman Josh Hart in the deal. The 27-year-old forward had an impressive run with Portland at the end of the year after being dealt at the close of trade there.

Regardless of where LaVine ends up, one thing is for sure, the two-time All-Star wants a big payday.

LaVine on being a Max player: ‘Important to me’

During his exit interview later that year, LaVine made it absolutely clear that he wanted a Max contract. He explained that the Bulls’ front office and his agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports need to talk about it this summer.

“That’s important to me,” LaVine explained. “You get what you value. I see myself as a top guy in this league and I think I’ve proven that over the last four years. And I think we will negotiate about that. I think that’s what Marc (Eversley) [Artūras Karnišovas]she and Rich need to discuss that.”

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LaVine has averaged 24.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists over his five seasons in Chicago while shooting 46.8% from field and 38.9% from three-point land. He has made two All-Star appearances and helped the Bulls return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Bulls will have an opportunity to offer LaVine more money than anyone else this summer, but whether or not they will choose to do so is uncertain. But if they don’t, LaVine can sail to another, less windy city.

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