Kofi Inkoom
The Chicago Bulls aimed to trade Zach LaVine at the trade deadline in February, but he was sidelined due to injury, and there were no offers on the table.
Now, they seek to trade him this offseason, yet LaVine is still recovering from his injury. Specifically, LaVine underwent foot surgery in February and was anticipated to be out for four to six months.
On a positive note for LaVine and the Bulls, he is reportedly “well ahead” of schedule, as mentioned in earlier reports on Wednesday. Nonetheless, the Bulls are once again eager to expedite his trade, as reported by Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“A team source reiterated that trading the two-time All-Star remains priority one, two, and three this summer, with the hope to not only get off the remaining three years, nearly $138 million left on the max contract, but also to make sure the runway remained clear for the continued emergence of Coby White as a lead guard,” Joe wrote.
Numerous reports indicate that Chicago is fervently hoping to move on from LaVine. LaVine appeared in only 25 games this season before undergoing foot surgery.
A two-time All-Star, he posted averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc, and 85.4% from the free-throw line.
LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He is set to earn $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26. In March, Zach informed NBA reporters that he will be prepared for the start of training camp for the 2024-25 season.
“I feel really good,” LaVine said. “I get the boot off soon. I’ve been able to be out here (in Los Angeles) rehabbing, getting everything right. There’s not a lot. I just have to wait obviously for the tendon to heal.”