A strong case can be made that Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine has become the most polarizing player in the NBA. A dynamic talent with elite athleticism and a gift for putting points on the board, LaVine's quality on the court has been overshadowed by his contract and injury history.
The latest in a long line of players whose talent everyone wants but whose contract they dread, LaVine is quietly putting together a sensational season.
LaVine has appeared in 36 of the Bulls' 41 games in 2024-25. He's been in fine form throughout the season, posting averages of 23.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 3.3 three-point field goals made on an absurd slash line of .516/.455/.807.
As such, LaVine is joined by Nikola Jokic as the only players in the NBA averaging at least 20.0 points per game on a slash line of at least .500/.450/.800.
In addition to thriving as an individual, LaVine has the Bulls on pace to qualify for the Play-In Tournament. It's a combination of factors that could result in the 29-year-old securing a third career All-Star Game appearance in 2024-25.
Moreover, LaVine is quietly scoring at a level that screams MVP, even if he isn't actually in the running for the award.
Bulls' Zach LaVine cementing his status as an elite scorer
LaVine ranks in the top 20 of scorers in 2024-25 from a pure volume perspective. Beyond his scoring average, however, is a well-rounded skill set that includes the ability to take over and score in isolation sets at a legitimately elite level.
According to an article published by NBA Insiders at ESPN, LaVine has produced with top-tier volume and efficiency in isolation.
"LaVine has thrived when he has called his own number this season, shooting 49.5% and notching 116 points per 100 possessions on iso plays, which put him in the league's 91st percentile."
What makes LaVine so dynamic is that he maintains his elite efficiency whether he's operating in isolation or working without the ball. Thus far in 2024-25, he's shooting 46.1 percent on 4.3 pull-up threes per game and 154 attempts overall.
LaVine is also burying 44.9 percent of his 2.7 catch-and-shoot threes per game and 98 total attempts on the season.
It's also worth noting that LaVine is shooting 47.0 percent when he attempts at least three dribbles. That speaks to his ability to both work within a system and find his spots, as well as create offense when there's nothing going for his team.
Most will focus on LaVine making $43,031,940 in 2024-25 and having three years and $137,998,980 remaining on his deal, but underneath those figures is one of the best scorers on the planet.