Since the Chicago Bulls are actually in firm contention for a top playoff spot in the Eastern Conference down the stretch this season, there isn’t all that much focus on the potential of two-time All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine town this summer. LaVine is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but it looks like it’s very likely that he will want to return to Chicago.
Any doubt regarding LaVine wanting to re-sign with the Bulls this summer was likely to come if this team was out of playoff contention again this season. But that is not the case through the All-Star Break so far this season.
Coming out of the All-Star Break, the Bulls are sporting a record of 38-21, putting them in a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference standings with the Miami Heat.
And the efforts of LaVine are a big reason why the Bulls are tied for first in the East right now.
Yet, LaVine still commented on his upcoming free agency this summer in a piece with Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports in the last week. LaVine mentioned the fact that he thinks he “should be getting what he deserves” in terms of his contract talks this summer.
Chicago Bulls’ star Zach LaVine excited about his upcoming process in free agency
It sounds like LaVine is pretty excited about the process of his upcoming free agency and contract negotiations. That is likely due to the fact that he’ll be in the max contract conversation in terms of his contract discussions for the summer.
Here’s more on what LaVine mentioned regarding his upcoming free agency in this Yahoo Sports piece.
"“I think we all get what we deserve at the level we play at, for our team and around the league. I think I stack up with everybody at that level,” he said. “We’ll let the chips fall. Is the [max] the goal? I don’t know if it’s the goal, but I should be getting what I deserve.“I’ll let them tell me what that is and we’ll go from there.”"
Without a doubt, LaVine will be looking to get max contract level money after his second straight All-Star selection this year. Getting him signed long-term is likely going to be one of the overarching goals of the offseason for the Bulls’ front office too.
LaVine and five-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan have proven to be one of the best star duos in the East this season. Keeping them together at least for the next few years has to be what the Bulls’ front office wants.
LaVine and the Bulls won five straight games heading into the All-Star Break following a 125-118 triumph over the Sacramento Kings at home back on Feb. 16. Next up for the Bulls is a meeting with the Atlanta Hawks at home at the United Center on Feb. 24.