Should the Chicago Bulls consider Zach LaVine as a future sixth man?

With the draft approaching and Zach LaVine’s recent struggles, many people have pitched the idea that maybe he should be a future 6th man instead of the main option, but is this a good move? 

There are questions about whether Zach LaVine can be the number one guy on a championship team – and rightfully so. LaVine has shown signs of inconsistency and he struggles mightily on the defensive end. Many Bulls fans have been frustrated with LaVine’s recent struggles and have wondered if the Bulls should be considering the possibility that maybe he’s more of a go-to scorer off the bench, similar to a Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford type.

While I see the point that fans are making, I think it’s far too early to write off LaVine as a potential number one option.

LaVine is averaging 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in only 27 minutes of play per game this season. Those are pretty good numbers coming off a serious knee injury. But the bad news is he’s shooting a poor 38 percent from the field and 34 percent from three. His inefficiencies are frustrating – and I get that – but we need to remember that he’s coming off an incredibly serious knee injury, and Bulls fans know better than anyone how difficult it can be to come back from a knee injury.

LaVine is also working with a small sample size. He’s only played in 24 games this season and with his recent tendinitis issues, there’s a decent chance that 24 games might be all for him this season.

So where do the Chicago Bulls go from here with LaVine?

With LaVine set to be a restricted free agent this offseason, there’s a good chance some up-and-coming team will throw a sizable chunk of money at LaVine and see if the Bulls match it. I would expect the Bulls to match any offer sheet (yes, even a max contract) this summer since he was a big part of the blockbuster Jimmy Butler deal.

Once the Bulls ink Zach LaVine long term and he starts to get back to 100 percent in terms of his health, I expect him to settle in and keep improving. Remember folks, the kid just turned 23.

I think LaVine’s flashes of brilliance have been enough to show that he has number-one-option potential. At the very minimum, I could see him being the second option to Lauri Markkanen or whoever the Bulls select in this upcoming draft. But coming off the bench? I think that’s a waste of his talent.

Remember the 35-point outburst from LaVine against his former team in February?

He displayed scoring ability from all three levels of the floor – at the basket, mid-range, and beyond the arc. He also showed he has a real clutch gene and I’m no doctor… but his veins might just be made of ice.

There’s no doubt that LaVine is a workhorse who will spend all off-season trying to prove the doubters wrong by getting back to his normal self and being the potential All-Star that the Bulls believe he can be.

Just take a look at this note to himself:

As you can see, he’s grounded and dedicated to excellence. Call me crazy, but I think LaVine will be an All-NBA player someday.

Please don’t relegate him to the bench just yet. His potential is far too high.