Chicago Bulls: There’s a path to make ‘everybody happy’ through LaVine
One of the biggest looming storylines for the Chicago Bulls entering next offseason will be the contract situation surrounding star 26-year-old shooting guard Zach LaVine. First-year Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley make up this team’s new front office regime, which has a laundry list of tasks to accomplish next offseason.
This summer will not be the time when the first-time All-Star selection LaVine will be up to hit the unrestricted free agent market for the first time in his NBA career to date. That time could come during the summer of 2022.
However, the Bulls could try their best to hand LaVine a sizable contract extension this coming offseason. Karnisovas and Eversley did their best to put together a solid supporting cast around the solidified star LaVine this year. They put all their cards on the table at the trade deadline last month to get star big man Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic.
That could mean that the Bulls get two All-Star selections from their own team in one season for the first time in more than five years come the 2021-22 campaign. But that is looking a bit far ahead as first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls need to focus on winning more games down the stretch this season.
How Zach LaVine’s play down the stretch impacts the Chicago Bulls?
LaVine already had a career year thus far for the Bulls. He’s helped to elevate this entire team, who could make the NBA’s play-in tournament next month. This team has to be anxiously awaiting his return to the starting five after missing the last few games due to a violation of the league’s health and safety protocol.
If LaVine does come back effective immediately for the Bulls in the near future, the idea of handing him a sizable contract extension could look even more appealing for the new front office regime. And according to a report from K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago on April 23, there is a path forward that could “make everybody happy” in terms of the Bulls future contract talks with LaVine.
Since both LaVine and Vooch reportedly are represented by the same agent and they’re both looking to take the next step in terms of postseason success in their careers, it makes sense for them to team up at least over the course of the next three or four years. Vooch has more years left on his current contract than LaVine. But currently at 30 years of age, Vooch might have fewer years left in his prime than the former UCLA Bruin.
Building around LaVine and Vooch over the long haul looks to now be the move for Karnisovas and the Bulls. They heavily invested in landing Vooch from the Magic at the trade deadline, shipping off two future first round draft picks along with third-year center Wendell Carter Jr. and veteran small forward Otto Porter Jr.
It just wouldn’t make much sense for the Bulls to let LaVine walk during the 2022 offseason without putting up much of a fight. What does make the most sense for the Bulls, in all likelihood, is building around the trio of LaVine, Vooch, and potent rookie forward Patrick Williams.
Next. 3 players stepping up for the Bulls with LaVine out. dark
LaVine, Vooch, and the Bulls currently boast a record of 25-34 following their big win over the Charlotte Hornets on April 22. Next up for the Bulls is a meeting with their former star shooting guard/small forward Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on the road at American Airlines Arena on April 24.