Is Zach Lavine a multi-million dollar leading man or just another role player?

With the Chicago Bulls organization holding more cap space than the majority of teams, Zach Lavine is going to have to prove his merit.

Zach Lavine needed to be better than his recent numbers showed this past week. The afternoon game against the Atlanta Hawks was a step in the right direction. His 21 points on a respectable 7-16 shooting were positive signs. And he helped seal the win with a couple free throws in the closing moments.

But something’s nagging at me.

It has nothing to do with a meaningless win pushing the Bulls further out of receiving a top 5 draft pick. Although it’s not helping my mood. The fact that Noah Vonleh is out playing Cristiano Felício’s four year $32 million contract isn’t it either.

Lavine is set to enter restricted free agency at season’s end, and his inconsistencies have to give the organization pause for concern. In Minnesota Lavine was enjoying a career year before his ACL injury. The question remains of whether his numbers projected an upward trajectory of future stardom. Or are his inconsistencies now a regression to the norm as merely being a role player?

In four games back in early February, Lavine averaged 26.5 points, 4.3 rebounds on 46% shooting.  His duel with Jimmy Butler gave credence to how deadly an offensive player he can be. Just check the highlights from the video below.

Impatience on my part has settled in not because of the recent slide in his numbers but his inability to gel with the young core.

The young core of Markkanen, Dunn, and Lavine must develop chemistry if this rebuild is to work.

The trade of former Bulls swing-man Jimmy Butler for Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, and Lavine  raised many questions. Most, thankfully, have already been answered.

There is no question as to who the leader of this team is and needs to be. That role goes to Dunn, a potential comeback player of the year who thrives with the ball in his hands. He’s the engine the team needs, while setting up his teammates for easy buckets. He’s also a ball hawk on defense who positions others in the right set.

There’s little question as to what Markkanen brings to the table. He’s shown way more athleticism than previously expected and a willingness to crash the boards. Oh, and there’s that sweet shooting stroke that hasn’t hit its stride yet.

Next: Should the Bulls Consider Trading Up in the Draft?

The big question mark is Lavine. You see the athleticism. The ability to beat his man off the dribble and get to the basket seems like second nature to him. The shooting stroke hopefully will return to form once he gets his legs under him. Can he improve upon the net 97.5 offensive rating that exists when he and Dunn share the court together? Will he find Markkanen more within the offense instead of settling for contested jumpers? Will his off ball defense match the praise Fred Hoiberg has given to his on the ball defense?

For a soon to be free agent looking for leading man money, the definitive answer from him and the organization needs to be a resounding “Yes”.