Zach LaVine is set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) in a few days. Will the Chicago Bulls re-sign their shooting guard or will they let him walk?
Zach LaVine was supposed to be the face of the franchise for the Chicago Bulls. When they traded for the UCLA product, the Bulls were expecting highlight reel dunks and scoring binges. Now, after 24 games, it appears possible that he might not play another game for them. The question is, does that really make sense?
LaVine, acquired with Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen, will be a restricted free agent when the free agent period begins in a few days. Coming off an ACL injury, his play was spotty, as is expected from any player returning from a major injury. In 24 games for the Bulls, LaVine averaged 16.7 points while shooting 38.3% from the field. Not scorched earth numbers by any stretch, but remember, LaVine hadn’t played an NBA game in 11 months. If the Bulls were disappointed in his performance, that would say more about their ability to evaluate how talent fits than it does LaVine’s recovery.
Would the Bulls really let LaVine walk in free agency?
It’s unclear at the moment what type of contract offers LaVine will receive in free agency this July. His uneven statistics won’t do him any favors, however he is freakishly athletic and still has a ton of potential.
The rumors that maybe the Bulls aren’t as keen on him as we thought was surprising considering LaVine was the focal point of the Jimmy Butler trade. Still just 23, LaVine should return to peak physical form and has a fairly high ceiling.
The Bulls knew LaVine was recovering from a major injury when they traded for him. Considering the toll Derrick Rose‘s ACL injury took on the franchise, It was surprising that they made the deal with Minnesota. The Bulls knew what to expect and they knew LaVine was entering his RFA season. Meaning, they knew the risk and they knew that one season would not be enough to evaluate.
The Bulls clearly have a public relations problem, but why leak out that they might not be sold on LaVine?
Now, after 24 games, the Bulls apparently aren’t sold on him and that just doesn’t add up. What changed between the end of the season and now? If the Bulls are doubting LaVine’s fit with the team, again, that says more about them than LaVine.
If they simply don’t think he will become the player they thought he would be, it still points to a front office lacking clear vision. How could they evaluate him based on last season? Didn’t they trade for him based on what they saw of him before his injury and wouldn’t they think he can get back to that level? The Bulls want to put the onus on the players to get to the levels they expect, but it doesn’t absolve them of responsibility if they don’t.
They already let word out that they weren’t happy with Kris Dunn, and now this with LaVine. Did LaVine really lose “universal support” as Nick Friedell of ESPN.com reported? If this is a motivation tactic, it could come back to harm the Bulls. They already seem to have a credibility issue around the league, I’m not sure this really helps.
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Let’s be clear, the Bulls should let LaVine go out and see what the market is. That’s basically how restricted free agency works. There is no rush for the Bulls to throw LaVine an offer before he has established his market. But why risk alienating a star player if you have intentions of bringing him back? Another issue with this is, if the Bulls are playing games with LaVine, do they really have a plan B in case he does walk?
Of course, this is just another day for the Chicago Bulls. It’s not as if business can ever run smoothly for this front office.