A slow start to the 2023-24 NBA season and the looming prospect of yet another mid-tier finish at best made both the Chicago Bulls and star guard Zach LaVine begin to rethink their relationship.
The franchise quietly started to explore its options with the two-time All-Star after the end of the previous season, but it became clear after the first dozen or so games of last year that it was time for the pair to part ways.
But just 25 games into the 2023-24 campaign, LaVine went down with a foot injury and missed the remainder of the year. It was another significant injury to add to a growing list of them, many of which were knee, ankle, hip and other leg maladies.
It became increasingly difficult to trade an offensive-minded, oft-injured, wildly expensive player. LaVine's trade value dipped so low that the Bulls reportedly would have had to attach a first-round pick to him in any deal simply to get him out the door.
Things have changed drastically on the court this season, though, both for the Bulls and LaVine. That's also made at least one party change its tune off the court.
Zach LaVine not in a hurry to leave Chicago Bulls
Things can change significantly from year to year in the NBA, and LaVine's resurgent 2024-25 season has altered his stance on his Chicago future.
The 29-year-old is averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists with shooting splits of 51/45/82. He's also played 40 of the Bulls' 45 games.
LaVine's mindset has changed, beginning with an unsolicited monologue of sorts he gave during his press conference at media day in which he said, in part:
"When you go through a long offseason like I have, you get to learn a lot about yourself and the company you keep. ... Anything negative that will try and pin me, the organization, rumors, drama, whatever it is, I leave that in the past. I’m focusing a lot on this camp right now going forward, this team, helping, learning, and just having a good time."
It appeared LaVine was entering 2024-25 with a new perspective, which has shone through; he isn't just having one of his most productive seasons as a player. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, "LaVine has impressed the Bulls with his professionalism and leadership, a year after both sides scanned the market for trade opportunities."
Then came a recent report from Jake Fischer via The Stein Line substack. Fischer wrote, in part, that Lavine "would prefer to remain in Chicago beyond the Feb. 6 deadline."
It's quite the flip in mindset from where the two sides were 15 months ago.
Is LaVine's change of heart too little, too late, though? A bevy of rumors suggest the Bulls are finally legitimately willing to listen to offers on their star guard as well as Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball. Trading LaVine is still a difficult proposition, and Chicago can't expect to get equal value in return, given his contract and injury history.
But it wouldn't be a shock to see the Bulls find a deal for LaVine before the end of the day on Feb. 6, even with his change of attitude toward the franchise. After all, Fischer also noted on Jan. 24 that his change of heart "won't necessarily insulate [him] from being dealt if an offer [the Bulls] like surfaces in the next 13 days."
LaVine's status is one of the more significant storylines to follow leading up to the trade deadline, which comes in less than two weeks. If he's still in Chicago on Feb. 7, though, both he and the franchise should be okay with that result, even if it's not ideal for the Bulls' long-term future.