"Don't see a lot of pathways": Bulls insider is pessimistic about Zach LaVine's options
The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine seem to have hit an impass. After a disappointing season where the Bulls finished with an underwhelming 39-43 record and LaVine featured in just 25 games, both sides could benefit from a fresh start.
NBA analyst and Bulls insider K.C. Johnson provided an update on the current situation between the two parties. Johnson believes there is still the possibility of a trade during the offseason but said the chances are "50-50" given the circumstances.
"I don't see a lot of pathways to a deal," Johnson said.
Johnson went on to say that running it back with LaVine doesn't seem like the preferred move for the player or the organization at the moment. One reason for that would be LaVine's hefty contract, which would be a massive commitment for a Bulls organization that is looking to rebuild after reaching the playoffs just once in the past seven seasons.
"Everyone knows this would not be a good situation if Zach came back. It just wouldn't. It would take away the momentum of what they are trying to do, ... it would just be messy," Johnson added.
Looking at it from LaVine's point of view, the two-time All-Star has appeared in the playoffs just once in his 10-year NBA career. With Chicago unwilling to bring in big-name stars to make a deep playoff push, this could be an ideal moment for the 29-year-old to try his luck elsewhere.
While LaVine remains one of the league's premier offensive players, Johnson believes the market has softened for him. He went on to say that interest from the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings had "dried up."
Zach LaVine is is set to be the 17th highest paid player in the 2024/2025 NBA season
Per Spotrac, Zach LaVine signed a five-year, $215,159,700 contract with the Bulls in 2022. He still has three years remaining on that deal and is owed $43 million in 2024/25, nearly $46 million in 2025/26 and nearly $49 million in 2026/27.
The shooting guard is set to be the 17th highest paid player in the NBA in 2024/2025, earning more than players such as Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Edwards.
The Chicago Bulls recently traded DeMar DeRozen and Alex Caruso to lower their payroll. The team is looking to rebuild and moving on from Zach LaVine's expensive contract could be the next move for the organization as it looks to move in a new direction.