3 reasons why the Chicago Bulls should trade Zach LaVine

2. His team friendly contract makes trade negotiations more realistic

Considering LaVine was very close to becoming a first-time NBA All-Star selection in the season that was for the Bulls, his current contract value is a very team-friendly. LaVine will have two years remaining on his current contract entering the 2020-21 season, and he’s due around $19.5 million in each of those years.

LaVine isn’t even close to the higher paid player on the current Bulls cap sheet. That accolade belongs to the former Washington Wizards veteran small forward Otto Porter Jr., who will be due more than $28 million next year as long as he picks up his player option. And OPJ picking up his player option seems very likely since he would take a dramatic pay cut if he did.

If LaVine’s contract is so valuable to the Bulls current cap sheet, then he could be in a similar situation elsewhere. Since the best role for LaVine to help another NBA team win a title in the near future would be as a secondary or third scorer on a contender, his current contract would fit very well elsewhere.

Imagine if he were to land with a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, or Dallas Mavericks. He could be the perfect third piece on a team that might be able to get him his first career NBA Championship before too long. A lot of those teams have an easy way to salary match and give the Bulls an overall decent return in the process.