The latest Zach LaVine drama series episode features someone inside the walls of the United Center. According to a unanimous source within Chicago’s organization, LaVine’s lack of team success has much to do with his demeanor. As this source makes clear, he has only one playoff win and one playoff appearance on his resume, and his best individual regular season win total is only 46. Raking in a top-20 contract leaguewide, does LaVine’s desire to chase personal accolades and his next contract overpower the ultimate goal of an NBA Championship for the Chicago Bulls franchise?
The most significant hurdle in Chicago over the past seven years has been Zach LaVine. From his inconsistent play to the flurry of injuries he has nursed throughout his career, he’s nearly single-handedly kept the franchise in a rut that’s lasted almost a decade. Paying him top-15 money in the NBA a few years back has sat the Bulls behind the eight ball, an unavoidable mistake that has haunted them since. Hoping their two-time All-Star would leap to an All-NBA level, Chicago’s faith fell short as LaVine has yet to achieve All-Star status again, let alone All-NBA, or reach the postseason.
In today’s game, two or three All-NBA caliber players on the same roster make deep postseason runs. Not only has he never been awarded an All-NBA team nod, but by making the most money on the roster and effectively the keys to the franchise, he’s driven the organization into the ground. DeMar DeRozan displayed talents that could’ve potentially represented a top-end running mate for a championship contender, but a second option never emerged from the Bulls’ depth chart.
Two years ago, LaVine was visibly upset during a thrilling win. He sat on the sidelines to witness a different hero take the glory and was seen storming off the court. That behavior, combined with his multiple trade requests in the last year, signifies his personal agenda outweighing the team’s greater good.
This Chicago Bulls roster is better built for the 2020-21 version of LaVine than any previous season during his tenure. Newly acquired Josh Giddey, a shifty point guard with top-tier passing and distributing abilities, paired with the return of Lonzo Ball, means two of the best passing point guards leaguewide will be at the helm. Drafting Matas Buzelis, a lengthy, slashing offensive threat who can run the fast break and attack the rim with authority, means another weapon that’ll take the attention off of the former UCLA guard. With DeRozan’s departure, the stagnant, iso style of the offense will leave with him and allow LaVine to return to his off-ball expertise next to the pick-and-roll skills of Giddey, Coby White, and Lonzo Ball.
Can the relationship between the Bulls and LaVine be mended to finish out his overpriced contract, or will Chicago find a trade partner before the start of next season? It was reported earlier this summer that his value has diminished, given the injury history, inconsistencies over the past few seasons, and the grossly high-paying contract.
This insider just said what everyone around the Chicago Bulls had been thinking for the past three seasons, will it be the end of Zach LaVine in a Bulls uniform?
