Do Bulls have leverage in situation with Zach LaVine?

To re-sign or not to re-sign? That is the question for Zach LaVine as he heads into free agency after five seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

LaVine stands to make the most money with the Bulls, assuming they’re willing to offer him the five-year, $212 million max contract. Outside of that, only the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs would be the other teams able to afford a player of LaVine’s caliber/price tag.

At this moment, all of those destinations are less desirable than Chicago, with only the Spurs offering some sort of hope. That reality makes it’s hard to believe LaVine would jettison the Bulls, even if they were to offer a little less money.

And speaking of which … do the Bulls have leverage to do that given the current market? Would they dare ask LaVine to take a bit of a discount in the name of adding a bit more around the edges of the roster to better round things out? Would they dare risk that and tell him, “OK, fine, good luck in Detroit!”

“Leverage” might be the wrong word here, but do the Bulls have some sort of an advantage in an attempt to broach this conversation?

Can the Bulls afford to offer Zach LaVine less than a max contract?

Or, in general, might the Bulls just think they can save a few bucks due to LaVine’s injury history and current injury situation? Worth wondering!

Here’s what John Hollinger of The Athletic (subscription required) wrote last week:

"“LaVine is eligible for a five-year, $212 million deal from the Bulls that starts at $36.6 million for this coming season, which isn’t too far off his BORD$ value. At age 27, a new contract would theoretically cover his prime years as well … provided the knee isn’t an issue. As with Beal above, one wonders if the Bulls can whittle away some at the fifth-year guarantee, knowing their final offer would still top any other, but it’s a tricky game to play since teams like San Antonio or Detroit could have the ability to ink LaVine to a four-year, $164 million deal.”"

Are the Bulls willing to risk potentially “disrespecting” arguably their best player? Depends if LaVine would view it that way.

After all, he said he simply wanted to be “paid what he’s worth.” Don’t really think he’d be complaining about having one fewer year on the deal or a few less million per year if it means remaining on a contender that would have more resources. We’ll know soon enough.

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