Should the Bulls be worried about Zach LaVine going to another team as an unrestricted free agent this summer? Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic explores that topic, noting that while Chicago can offer LaVine more years and money (five years, $212MM) than other teams (four years, $157MM), the two-time All-Star was noncommittal at his end-of-season media session.
“I’ve been here for the last five years, and I’ve really enjoyed my time,” LaVine said. “I think the city – and I hope everybody – understands how much I care about the Bulls and what I’ve done for the city and things like that.
“Obviously, you guys have been a really soft spot in my heart, and I have to do this as a business decision as a man, not to just be viewed one way, and be, like, ‘I’m automatically coming back’ or ‘I’m automatically leaving.’ It’s unrestricted free agency. For my family and me, I have to go into this like it’s a decision where I have to be open-eyed.”
Here’s more from the Central:
- In a question and answer session with Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, Bulls star DeMar DeRozan said he thinks Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is the most underrated player in the NBA at the moment. “Wow, that’s a great one … most underrated … most underrated from my opinion and one of my favorite players to watch I would say is Jrue Holiday, yeah, Jrue Holiday,” DeRozan said.
- Bucks veteran guard George Hill is listed as probable for Saturday’s Game 3 against the Celtics, tweets Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Hill has been dealing with an abdominal strain and has yet to play this postseason, but he was able to practice on Thursday and could see some action today.
- Jamal Collier of ESPN lists four keys to the Bucks repeating as NBA champions this season. One key is making up for the production of injured star Khris Middleton, who’s sidelined with a sprained MCL. “Khris clearly is a huge part of what we do, but we have a lot of talented guys on our team,” Brook Lopez said. “We’re going to see a lot of different guys, I think, stepping up on different nights.”
- Keifer Sykes recently spoke to James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star about his rookie season with the Pacers. Sykes was waived by the team just before the season ended. “I did everything that I could do,” Sykes said. “Even when I look up and think about the day I got cut, the night before, after that (last home) game, I was in the gym until like 12 or 1 a.m., so I squeezed everything I got out of the Pacers thing. That’s not gonna stop me from having camps back home and finishing it with this one. I’m very much at peace with the situation. … A lot of players don’t have peace in free agency.”
- Sykes was waived to accommodate standard deals for undrafted Pacers rookies Terry Taylor and Duane Washington, who were both promoted from two-way contracts. Taylor said it was a dream come true, as Boyd relays in another story. “My agent called me and was like, ‘Yo, we’re gonna get this done Thursday (April 7),’ so he was telling me congrats,” Taylor said. “After we hung up the phone, I just prayed because it finally happened. My dream came true.”
Never pay B or C level players max money. It’s the fastest way to paralyze your franchise. In strict economic terms if the most another team can offer is $157m why in the world would you pay said player $210m?
If they offer him the 5/210 they are insane. 4/157 is more than fair. He is always injured or somehow unavailable. Yes he can score, so could dudes like Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd, didn’t translate into much.
They need a team around him.
Even 157/4 is more than he’s worth
If they don’t offer the max he’s gone and regardless of what people say players like LaVine don’t come around that often.
175/5years is fair to me.if he dont accept it,than sign and trade him.
Then the Bulls slip back into mediocrity.
Tacocat : They can sign and trade zach for another star not for bum players. I love jaylen brown more than zach.or maybe siakam or sabonis. Siakam not allstar player this season,but he played better than zach after allstar break.if raptors ask for another player, i hope bulls give them coby or blazers pick
@yoga
“if he doesn’t accept it, then sign and trade him”?? what? If he doesn’t accept the offer then you can’t do anything with him and he walks.
And he doesn’t get paid everything he thinks he earned. Math 101
Just as a casual fan over the last 40 years, it sure has been fun to watch this version of the Bucks. They’ve gotta be a little hard for anyone to dislike I guess. They all just like to find a way to win and they work hard. Keep ‘er movin…
They need to practice boxing out in the next practice as they were a fraction of a second from going into OT today.
Bulls are in a pickle here. Like their lineup especially if everyone is healthy but that was not the case this season. If they dont max him he’s gone. If they do max him you could be locking yourself into a problem contract with a player who’s oft injured, though the same could be said for most guys these days. I struggle to find a great fit for him anywhere else. I’d love to see him in Dallas but I doubt that’s realistic.
“Zach, do you want to be on a team that is unable to compete because we gave you $210mil? If so, sign here. But if you want to really go for a title, sign this incentive-laden contract here…”. (And its base is more than he can get elsewhere)
Lakers fix:
Three team deal
Lakers: Rozier, Randle and Noel
Knicks: Westbrook and 2027 first (Lakers)
Hornets: Kemba and 2024 first protected (Knicks)
Straight swap LaVine for AD
Last deal trade THT for Terrance Ross
In Free Agency sign and trade Malik Monk for Justin Holiday. Sign Tristan Thompson and bring back Melo.
Lakers:
1. Rozier. Augustine. Nunn
2. LaVine. Ross. Reaves
3. LBJ. Holiday. Johnson
4. Randle. Melo.
5. Thompson. Noel
Knicks are happy they get a star starting point guard that’ll play Thibs game style. All it cost them was Randle Kemba and Noel all of which they no longer want, plus they get a upgrade in picks.
Charlotte gets to shed Terry Roziers huge contract (4 years 96mil) for Kemba to return home on a much cheaper deal and they also get a pick out of it. It’s a feel good story for Kemba and it loads them up with Cap space for FA or a trade.
Second deal, Bulls get Anthony Davis. Both LaVine and AD have injury history and issues but when fit AD is a far superior player. Another feel good story with a home coming for AD. Playing in the east you need a strong big man like him to go up against Giannas, Embiid, Siakim, Bam, etc etc.
Last deal, Malik Monk to the kings. He fits in perfectly as the starting SG next to Fox. These two played together at Kentucky where they went really well and suited each other’s games.
Then lastly for the Lakers, you’ve got Terry Rozier perfect fit with LeBron, huddles hard on defence and shoots really well. Zach LaVine, has really developed as a shooter but with always have that elite run and jump athleticism plus speed which LeBron will love. At the 4, Randle is a poor mans AD but he isn’t injury prone and is a better passer. He will fit in well with LBJ as AD did. Then to fill out the team Thompson at the 5. Knows how to play with Bron, would no doubt love to live in LA with the Kardashians. Terrance Ross and Melo provide heaps of buckets and impact off the bench. Justin Holiday and Noel give you defence. Then you have Augustine and Nunn battling for bench point and Reaves and Johnson as back ups.
Overall gives the Lakers a much younger, fitter and faster team. Loads of exciting players and should be a nice playoff side. Plus planning ahead to the future if LBJ leaves you have pieces in place that means you won’t totally suck when he’s gone.
I think the hornets would need a 1st round pick from the lakers to even consider this trade
Idk Kemba returning home and the huge savings. Plus if you used your eyes it has the Hornets getting a first in the deal from the Knicks.
Kemba has a 1 year 8mil deal and Terry Rozier just signed a 4 year 96mil extension.
That’s alot of money
Lol. If you used your brain you would realize the hornets aren’t giving up Rosier for a washed Kemba and one first rounder. Your entire post is completely delusional so not too surprised
The trade idea was advertized as a Laker fix. That builds in bias.
The knicks are stupid but they aren’t trading randle Noel and a first for Westbrick lmfao
I disagree
Why would Monk sign for less than he can get on the open market just to get traded?
Why would the magic trade Ross for trash?
Why would the lakers resign melo who is a black hole on defense?
Why would the Bulls trade Levine for a guy who can’t stay healthy?
This trade only makes sense for laker homers
LaVine has a hard time staying healthy himself if it’s AD I’d take it, but Lakers would never trade AD for LaVine.
Ross himself played like trash last year.
Melo is Lebron’s friend and played well on offense and accepted his role.
I love ad, he is injury prone, but so does with zach.but i doubt lakers will straight swap him for zach. I love more if zach for siakam or jaylen brown.
Jaylen Brown isn’t going anywhere.
Zach and Pat Williams for AD and THT.
Evens it out a little more
Pat Williams leaving opens up the 4 spot for AD. THT is also from Chicago and him and AD returning would be a cool story. I also think THT would thrive being away from LA similarly to Kuzma, BI, and Randle. He’d learn so much from DeRozan.
For the Lakers they then get Patrick Williams a young good and defender. Fresh legs around LeBron.
Maybe from there you cut out the Hornets and do Russ and a first for Randle Kemba and Noel.
Omg do you think Arturas is a drunk?
Bulls do not want Davis. He can come to Chicago as a swan song when he is old and cheaply signed. Sheesh if Lavine is an injury risk wtf is Davis?
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out Zach. It’s been fun, But sign and trade is best for both the Bulls and you. Please stop the AD crap. Not happening. It would be taking 3 GIANT steps backward.
If there are better ways for the Bulls to spend that slot (actually available on the market NOW), let’s hear them cuz I am all ears.
Xt, the app is turning me into Johnny TwoTimes again.
They could get better value buying Hot Dog Buns than spending 40 million for either Lavine or Davis IMO. If you want to kill Jerry just let either one happen. He’ll be in the ICU in seconds.