Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine has failed to reach a contract extension over the past year with the team. So now, he finds himself in a position where he can look around to see what’s out there.
After the series loss to the Bucks, LaVine re-iterated his love for Chicago and the fans. But also made it clear that he plans to test the market away from where he has spent the last several years of his career.
“You should view it as I’ve been here for the last five years,” LaVine said, per Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago.“Obviously you guys have been a really, really soft spot in my heart and I have to do this as a business decision as a man. Not to just be viewed one way, and be like: ‘I’m automatically coming back,’ or ‘I’m automatically leaving,’ things like that. It’s unrestricted free agency, for my family and me I have to go into this like it’s a decision where I have to be open-eyed. And obviously I have to make my list and talk to everybody in the summertime.”
As Zach LaVine has been linked to the Lakers since the offseason began, ESPN posed a potential three way trade with the Lakers, Bulls and Knicks that would land LaVine in LA.
This was just shown on ESPN.
Why would the Chicago Bulls ever do this trade?? pic.twitter.com/3oadb5RTID
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) May 11, 2022
Immediately, Bulls fans took issue with the hypothetical Zach LaVine trade.
There’s actually Lakers fans out there who think we would trade Lavine for Westbrook 😂😂
— 𝓑𝓾𝓵𝓵𝓼 𝓟𝓪𝓲𝓷 (@bulls_pain) May 4, 2022
I will not be engaging with the Very Bad Zach LaVine Hypothetical Trade and I invite all of you to join me
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) May 11, 2022
Me whenever another fan base even thinks about Zach LaVine: pic.twitter.com/iJYwrsApmh
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 10, 2022
What I never get about these three team deals that have linear transactions: team A ➡️ team B ➡️ team C ➡️ team A. Like this one.
If the Bulls would trade Lavine for Randle and Fournier, WHY WOULDNT THE KNICKS JUST DO THAT FOR THEMSELVES?
— All Good (@juliocan2) May 11, 2022
Lakers fans recruiting Zach Lavine pic.twitter.com/8mRjxreCxk
— ɢᴀʙʀɪᴇʟ 🅶🆅𝟴𝟰 (@JeeVee84) May 11, 2022
Hey Lakers fans sorry to burst your bubble but you’re not getting Zach LaVine, just wanted to let you know.
— mev 🧸🌹🏀 (@mevvybear) May 4, 2022
1. The Stepien Rule makes this trade illegal
2. If you think Julius Randle and Evan Fournier is worth Zach Lavine, get your shoelaces checked — you are fucking TRIPPING https://t.co/weoHv1kz1w
— General Ulysses S. Grant Williams (p) (@GeneralGrantW) May 11, 2022
Zach LaVine has asserted himself as a star in the NBA during the last five years with the Bulls. But this was the first year that he was able to reach the postseason.
All season long, LaVine struggled to play through injuries, and it showed down the stretch of the season.
Regardless, Zach LaVine would be a great addition to any NBA team. And Bulls fans are making it clear they don’t want to see him leave just yet.
Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!
🔥 Hot from Side Action 🔥
- Lala Anthony Blames Knicks for the ‘Demise of their Relationship’
- Ja Morant Being Linked to Singer Lotto’s Sister Brooklyn
- Rumor: Instagram Model ‘Ayyyejae’ Connected to Phoenix Suns Is Now Pregnant by NBA Player
- Rumor: Jalen Rose Spotted With New Girlfriend Angela Rye
- Spurs Josh Richardson is Dating Former America’s Next Top Model Runner-Up Tatiana Elizabeth