Zach LaVine was a big reason why the Chicago Bulls traded Jimmy Butler. What are the chances that the Bulls sign him to a max deal?
Where is Zach LaVine?
Every game I think he will show up, but it just never happens.
Look I get it that he’s coming off ACL surgery and he has a lot of pressure on himself to deliver, but the guy just looks off. In 24 games this season, LaVine is averaging 16.7 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. Zach has been so inconsistent this season, and it’s obvious that it’s getting to him.
You thought after the game against Minnesota where he had 35 points, that he would start to get it things going, but that hasn’t been the case. It’s been 12 games since he’s big night against the Timberwolves, and LaVine has only had one time where he scored 20 or more points in two straight games.
In the last five games, he’s shooting 25-70 from the field. LaVine is forcing a lot of his shots, and it’s becoming a pattern. I continue to remind myself that he has only played 24 games this season, but you would think that he would start to get it going.
LaVine’s struggle is getting to him, and you could see that on the court. In the last couple of games he has been getting very frustrated at the refs.
Zach has a lot of pressure on himself
A huge reason why the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler was because they got LaVine in the deal. The Bulls think he can be a superstar, but LaVine is having a hard time becoming just a star. He has a lot of pressure on himself to deliver because he knows that this summer is going to be huge for him. LaVine will be able to get a max deal from the Bulls, but will the Bulls give it to him?
There are a lot of questions about LaVine’s game. He struggles to defend and opponents continue to take advantage of it. LaVine has been known to make shots, but his defense has always been an issue. Right now, LaVine is having a hard time making shots, and trying to defend. A lot of his shots are contested jumpers. The most frustrated part when I watch LaVine play is that a lot of his jumpers come really early in the shot clock, and it kills the flow of the offense.
What does the future hold for him?
I like Zach LaVine and I think he’s going to be a really good player, but time is ticking. I continue to wait for him to show up, but that hasn’t happened yet. Should the Bulls sign him to a max deal in the offseason? I wouldn’t.
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If I was the Bulls I would use his play as leverage. Kris Dunn and LaVine have had a time playing together this season. When both of them are on the court together, they have struggled. The Bulls and Zach LaVine have said that a deal will get done, but at what cost?
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens this summer, because money talks. It’s time for Zach LaVine to show up, and show the world why he deserves a max deal.