In a notable radio interview with ESPN Chicago this week, Chicago Bulls star shooting guard Zach LaVine opened up on the matter of any trade rumors concerning him heading into next season. LaVine is the topic of a bunch of trade speculation for other contenders around the NBA ahead of the start of Training Camp and the preseason.
This interview with ESPN FM 1000 in Chicago this week was very telling, though, about where LaVine’s mindset is at heading into next season. He has essentially stated that he wants to be in Chicago as long as this front office and coaching staff want him around.
Here’s more on what LaVine had to say on the matter in this ESPN radio interview.
"If they want me here, I’m not going anywhere. I’m building this thing. I’m the first guy in the door. I wanna be part of this."
And there really shouldn’t be a reason why the Bulls want LaVine out of the mix. That is unless the Bulls have the opportunity to trade for an even more established star, which is something that is very improbable to happen next season.
Chicago Bulls should want to keep Zach LaVine around as long as they can
LaVine is about to enter the final year of his current contract. And if the Bulls don’t hand him a sizable contract extension (or new contract entirely by next offseason), then LaVine will become one of the most high-profile free agents next summer. Before that time arrives, though, LaVine is one of the most frequently discussed players in terms of trade speculation.
With all of the pieces that the Bulls front office put in place for the team to win now around LaVine, it wouldn’t make much sense for Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley to now let him walk.
The Bulls have a very good starting unit in place for next season which will likely see Lonzo Ball at the one, LaVine at the two, some combination of DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams at the three and four, and Nikola Vucevic at the five.
LaVine and the Bulls are set to open up Training Camp in a little more than one week, specifically on Sep. 28. And then, the preseason slate opens up on Oct. 5 at home at the United Center against the Cleveland Cavaliers.