Chicago Bulls: Can Zach LaVine go to the next level?

Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine is ready to take the next jump in his career. After a breakout season in 2018 where he had his best year from a production standpoint, LaVine is now looking to translate this production into team wins. What factors can play into him becoming one of the best players in the league?

The Chicago Bulls need to put together a solid season with a better supporting cast around their brightest young stars this coming season. How could that revolve around shooting guard Zach LaVine?

Health

LaVine’s health, along with the rest of his teammates is a massive question this year. After last years team struggled to stay healthy, LaVine playing 75-plus games will go a long way towards them reaching their ceiling this season. Not since his second season has he reached this mark of games played. To increase their win total from a measly 22 last year to 35-plus this year they will need a healthy roster for most of the year.

Spacing

As mentioned above, having a fit squad will be massive for LaVine’s play. Such an explosive athlete as well as a great shooter, LaVine needs a massive lift in the floor spacing from last year. Last year’s Bulls team ranked last in made threes.

The addition of Tomas Satoransky and a full year of Otto Porter and Lauri Markkanen should lift this team to at least league average territory. If Wendell Carter Jr can pop out to three more often also they will have shooting up and down their starting five.

A balanced game

Last year LaVine showed the aggression needed to succeed at the highest level. His shot profile has improved from his years in Minnesota where he took more mid range shots. LaVine now takes the ball to the rim more than ever, ranking him in the top 6 percent in the league.

The next step for him is to take more threes. He has always had a nice shooting stroke, he now needs to crank up his volume of three pointers. His three pointer is respected within the league but if he starts taking more this will open the floor for him and his teammates. Being aggressive and putting more pressure on the defense means he needs to push the ball in transition from rebounds or attacking closeouts on bigger opponents.

LaVine is a strong passer and when he collapses defences he now has the teammates to knock down open shots. His game winner against the Indiana Pacers last year is a great example of the type of plays he can make when he has the attack first mindset.

Taking the ball to the rim in the last seconds of the game, he converted a brilliant and-one to put the Bulls up by two. He should still take the mid range pull-up if the defense gives it to him, but he has to take more threes.

Defense

Contrary to popular opinion, LaVine isn’t a terrible defender. Sometimes his situational awareness lacks but if you looked down the list of teammates in his five years in the league he has never had teammates who played great defense. Last year he showed that he can matchup as a man defender while providing the speed and awareness to jump passing lanes or get deflections.

Off the ball in the half court he does need to improve but he now has teammates in Wendell Carter Jr and Thaddeus Young that can guide the team to parity in these sets. In transition Zach is a stronger defender. Part of his growth as a leader within the team is to become a defensive playmaker, this can start when he is defending in the open court. A willingness to learn, grow and improve on this end is key to the Bulls crossing the 35 win threshold.

Zach LaVine has all the skills of a modern offensive dynamo. At only 24 he has already been in the league five years. After a healthy offseason he can be an All-star and help the Bulls become a powerhouse again in the East.