Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, which is what Zach LaVine is trying to do in this ridiculous drama unfolding with the Chicago Bulls.
The soap opera has been going on for years but hit a peak recently when the Bulls stupidly trashed LaVine through an anonymous team source.
This was after LaVine tried to do some image repair by reminding people it wasn’t all his fault and that he’s been unfairly blamed for the lack of team success.
LaVine clearly wants to be traded, and the feeling is mutual, though the Bulls certainly haven’t helped their cause, which is why he’s on the offensive trying to fix his image and show that he’s healthy.
Since the Bulls have systematically destroyed the trade market for LaVine, he’s trying to restore it.
Zach LaVine in viral workout video
The reason the Bulls have no leverage in the LaVine trade market is that he is coming off an injury and is owed a ton of money. Add in the fact that every team in the league knows the Bulls are desperate to trade him and you have a team that might have to give away assets just to move LaVine.
LaVine is trying to do his part through his agent and public relations team, but also by showing teams that he is healthy.
A recent video of LaVine working out with some other NBA players and high schoolers hit the Internet and went viral, as it showed LaVine moving well and throwing down a few huge dunks:
Zach Lavine, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and high school juniors & top 10 players in the class of 2026 Alijah Arena and Tajh Ariza went off at @ZGonzales93 & @bucketsworth runs @NBA 🔥 #NBAFitness pic.twitter.com/N92dSQ9704
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) August 4, 2024
You can’t take too much from a run like this, but it’s smart for LaVine and his team (who benefitted from this even if they didn’t plan it) to let other teams know that he’s healthy.
A healthy LaVine is still a very good player and there are plenty of middling playoff teams that bombed in the offseason and didn’t add impact talent.
Hopefully, one of them will get desperate enough to make the move for LaVine so that this soap opera with the Bulls can finally end.
Maybe the Bulls should get out of the way and let LaVine do the negotiating, as he’s come out of this PR war looking much better than the team.