Presented by Jeff Vukovich, Nationwide Insurance Agent
The entire NBA knows that the Chicago Bulls are looking to land two-time All-Star point guard Zach LaVine. It’s a story that has been raging for months, if not years.
And the longer it drags on, the greater the risk of disorder. Fingers can be pointed. Accusations can be made. People can be leaked.
It’s that dynamic that Rich Paul, LaVine’s agent and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, was keen to address Thursday.
“I want to make it clear: This idea that Zach was unprofessional in this situation is false. This guy played hurt. He represented the franchise with class. A lot of things happened during his time with the Bulls and he was always very honest,” Paul said by phone. “Does every player get frustrated at some point? Yes. But Zach was the ultimate professional and deserves better.”
“The Bulls have business to deal with. And we let them deal with their business.”
This story has been in the spotlight since July 2023. That’s when the Bulls had preliminary discussions about a LaVine trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, when they still had Damian Lillard, and the Philadelphia 76ers, when they still had James Harden. Other LaVine trade rumors also surfaced around this time.
Just two years ago, LaVine’s relationship with the Bulls was at its peak. In July 2022, he signed a five-year, $215 million contract, fresh off his second All-Star nomination and first playoff appearance — and the Bulls’ first since 2017.
The future seemed limitless and, in LaVine’s mind, free from the distractions of trade rumors.
Instead, the Bulls went two straight seasons without a playoff spot. And when LaVine and the Bulls got off to a poor start in the 2023-24 season, The Athletic reported there was “increased openness” on both sides to exploring a trade.
It was the first time LaVine left the door open to a change of scenery, but he never asked to be traded. He was focused on overcoming his and the Bulls’ slow start to the season and trying to understand and treat the pain in his right foot that ultimately required season-ending surgery.
“We went to them and said, ‘We understand the business of basketball. If we continue to play this way and you start looking to make changes, let’s work together,’” LaVine told NBC Sports Chicago midway through last season. “I never once said I wanted to be traded.”
LaVine returned from his first extended absence due to his foot injury to help the Bulls finish 5-2 in January. But the foot pain persisted. LaVine and his representatives sought outside medical opinions, which is standard practice in the NBA.
When LaVine opted for season-ending surgery, the Bulls’ official team statement read: “After seeking additional medical advice, in consultation with the Chicago Bulls medical and training staff, guard Zach LaVine and Klutch Sports Group have elected surgery on LaVine’s right foot as the next step in his recovery process.”
That phrasing, along with rumors that the Detroit Pistons were interested in trading LaVine, created a false narrative that LaVine opted for surgery rather than join the rebuilding Pistons. Multiple league sources at the time indicated that Pistons decision-makers were split on trading LaVine and that the Bulls were not close to a deal.
Speaking to a small group of reporters in Los Angeles in March, LaVine discussed opting for surgery over a trade to the Pistons.
“You should never have surgery. But I came to the conclusion, especially with what the doctor told me, that the pain and this thing was not going to heal on its own,” LaVine said at the time. “It’s a floating bone. It’s called an ununion Jones fracture, which I had to deal with for a while. And once the doctor — I’m glad I was able to find him — told me I needed to get this done ASAP, that was good to know.”
This is the second time LaVine has played through an injury. In 2021-22, he played through a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery — during a contract year — as the franchise was headed for its first playoff berth since 2017. At that time, he consistently said he believed playing at 80 percent could still help the team.
LaVine endured plenty of setbacks during his seven seasons with the Bulls, including as the professional face of the franchise during a difficult rebuild from 2017-21. He also experienced plenty of highs, both personally and with teammates like Coby White, whom he proclaimed the NBA’s most improved player throughout last season.
But this relationship has felt like it’s been doomed for some time now. And the longer he stays with the Bulls, the greater the risk that problems will develop.
“I think we have a great relationship with Zach, a great relationship with his representative Rich Paul,” executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said after the Bulls’ inactive trade deadline in February. “I think we always work together, and I think his thoughts are always on the team. He’s trying to win. And he’s trying to win when he’s healthy.”
LaVine is healthy now. He is several weeks past his estimated four- to six-month return from foot surgery and is continuing his usual offseason routine. The question remains where he will ply his trade next season.
By bringing in Josh Giddey alongside White, the Bulls appear poised to build a backline for the future. The mutual understanding between Bulls management and LaVine’s representation that a change of scenery is best for all parties seems to be the most prudent course of action.
The Bulls have fielded more than 15 offers to teams in recent weeks. League sources have indicated that the Kings and Warriors were the most interested, though the latter has since made moves that likely indicate a different direction.
Interested teams will likely want an additional asset to support LaVine’s three years and $138 million. The longer this situation takes to resolve, the less value the Bulls could receive in return.
With the DeMar DeRozan situation unresolved, the Bulls have a lot on their plate. In an offseason that Karnišovas says is destined for change, LaVine’s future is the one that looms the most on the horizon.
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News Source : www.nbcsportschicago.com
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