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Bulls insider predicts what Zach LaVine will do in free agency

By Thomas Carannante

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 109-104. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 109-104. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Following the Chicago Bulls‘ elimination from the postseason, fans will be stuck in purgatory as they await free agency to determine the team’s fate for next year.

There’s expected to be a decent amount of roster turnover in a few months. Nikola Vucevic could be a trade candidate. Derrick Jones Jr., Troy Brown Jr., Matt Thomas and Tristan Thompson will all hit free agency, clearing spots and freeing up some money.

And, of course, Zach LaVine will be a free agent and a candidate to land a max contract, which has been a colossal topic of discussion throughout the year. What are the Bulls going to do? Re-sign him and run this whole thing back while creating some more roster issues with less money to spend? Or let him go and figure out a different way to revamp and avoid being tied down to a one-dimensional player given his notable struggles on defense and lengthy injury history?

Nobody knows for sure, but Bulls insider KC Johnson recently provided some insight on the matter. One thing we do know? There won’t be any discount for the Bulls. LaVine is a max player, and that’s that.

What is Bulls star Zach LaVine going to do in free agency?

Here’s what Johnson told NBC Sports Chicago last week:

"“What I heard from Zach is some negotiating. He’s clearly going to go out in unrestricted free agency, see what scenarios are out there for him, and make the right decision for him. I still think, and have maintained all along, that he will be back with the Bulls.”"

Hey, that’s better than garbage sign-and-trades being proposed by rival fans, right? After all, the Bulls were the best team in the Eastern Conference for a big stretch before injuries took their toll. Some might think running the whole operation back would be a mistake, but did the average fan wonder what might’ve been had LaVine, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso been fully healthy for the postseason?

LaVine didn’t reveal much when he was recently asked about free agency, but that just further plays in line with the narrative that he wants to explore the open market to see what’s out there, like Johnson suggested.

In the end, there really aren’t many better players than LaVine currently there for the taking. He’s entering his age-27 season after back-to-back first-time All-Star campaigns. He just made his first career appearance in the playoffs. He’s among the league’s best scorers, even when he’s hobbling on an injured knee.

Then again, it’s admittedly a tough spot to be in. Do the Bulls want two of their highest-paid players (LaVine and Ball) to have constant injury concerns, which will likely hamper their plan to see this experiment through? But how do you pass on a talent like LaVine outside of that after seeing him average 24.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game over the last five years?

Like Johnson said, there are many more players out there who are not as worthy of max salaries, which could end up falling right in line with the front office’s thinking.

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