There is currently no market league-wide for Bulls star guard Zach LaVine, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on NBA Today (Twitter link). This reporting comes less than a month after the news that both LaVine and Chicago were increasingly open to exploring a trade.
“There is not a market for Zach LaVine right now in the NBA,” Wojnarowski said. “That’s not because Chicago has not tried to find it and [they’re] currently trying to find it.”
Wojnarowski goes on to explain opposing teams’ trepidation with potentially acquiring the two-time All-Star, stating that his contract and production are giving teams pause.
“I think the question for teams is, how much does Zach LaVine impact winning?” Wojnarowski said. “Especially with his salary and a new salary cap where you’re asking yourself, ‘Are we trading for our best player? No. Our second-best player? No. So he’s our third-best player, do we want to pay that kind of money?’”
LaVine has $178.1MM and four years remaining on the five-year contract he signed in 2022. At a remaining average annual salary of $44.5MM, LaVine is under contract through at least 2026, with a player option worth roughly $49MM for the 2026/27 season.
Wojnarowski says the Bulls want to get a decent return for one of their top scorers, but explains that in order for Chicago to get what it wants, teams are going to want to see an uptick in LaVine’s production and impact on winning. Through 20 games, the Bulls are 6-14 and LaVine is averaging 21.0 points per game on 44.3% shooting, both of which are his lowest averages since his first year in Chicago in ’17/18. LaVine has 18 appearances this year but is out for at least one week with a foot issue.
Though LaVine has experienced individual success in Chicago, averaging 25.1 PPG and shooting 38.8% from three (7.1 attempts) over the past five seasons, his team has finished with a winning record just once in his 10 seasons in the league. The Bulls were among the top tier of the Eastern Conference for the first half of the ’21/22 season, but after Lonzo Ball and others suffered injuries, LaVine and the Bulls finished at 46-36 and fell in the first round of the playoffs.
The Bulls acquired LaVine alongside Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen in 2017 in exchange for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton. The Bulls are 194-291 since trading for LaVine. He holds career averages of 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per night.
Of course, as Wojnarowski says, teams are still trying to figure out their identities at this point in the season, and talks will become more substantial across the league when free agents signed in 2023 become trade eligible on Dec. 15 and Jan. 15.
Chicago front office are stuck with LaVine. Should’ve trade him two years ago. Smh. They’re paying him like a number one option, but he’s a third option at best on every other team in the league. Honestly tho, Miami or Orlando are LaVine’s best chances to get out of there.
Heat wouldn’t want him, he’s just an older, more brittle, more expensive version of Herro. Magic would have to include actual useful players to match salary. Philly has expirings to deal but Oubre is nearly as good and on a minimum deal.
They’re stuck with Lavine and, for that matter, Ball and Vucevic. Bulls fans are gonna be miserable for years.
He’s older and more expensive but LaVine’s definitely not more brittle. I’d say it’s about the same. Herro isn’t exactly known for his durability.
The reason there’s no market for him is he stinks and he’s overpaid. Pretty simple.
And, already have been.
Kyle Lowry Duncan Robinson and some nothing first rounder is about the best this inept front office will be able to pull off, team won’t be good til it’s sold, nothing matters
Sounds like a correct price to me, given the expensive contract.
Price seems fair, but as a Heat fan Duncan Robinson as added to his game, cuts well to the basket, at times can take you off the dribble, constant motion, his main attribute his 3 point shooting which stretch’s the floor for Jimmy, Bam, Vasquez to get to the basket…. 2 yrs remaining at 36m for Robinson… Can adjust to starting or off the bench… Big contract for Lavine… just keep Duncan Robinson…. I’d drather have Hero & Robinson than Lavine, unless the Heat feel that a Hero back court with Hero being point guard, with heavy coaching can assimilate Lavine into the mix…. PROPOSED DEAL IS FAIR… but Lavine is a tough contract to move… getting rid of Lowry would be great…. Can Hero run the point? Hero, Lavine, Martin? Jimmy, Bam or whoever in place of Martin… could score… Heat need consistent scoring…. I think Hero can run point, but Jimmy, Bam, can also pass during strectches…. I think of the 3 teams, Heat or Lakers could handle Lavine contract, — 76ers better off with Oubre at minimum, bruised ribs and all vs Lavine… 76ers better off clearing salary cap space over the off season……..
Agreed
there is a market for him but Bulls probably asked for a large package for him. Teams are not giving up 3 1st rounders for him.
TBH I wouldn’t give up 1 first for him with that contract. I like him, enjoy watching him play…but no interest in adding him at that price. I would compare the return for Beal as best case scenarios for him.
I agree that is why he will not be traded and that player option for almost $50 million in 4 years is insane. Your 76ers are in a good position next year to spend after ridding themselves of Simmons $40 million deal next season which is a waste. With the new cap rules less team want a long term huge contract.
If Bradley Beal was picked up for cheap teams aren’t going to pay a lot to get Lavine.
1. The Front Office made the mistake of not trading him when his value was high.
2. At this moment the best you can hope for is one first-round pick and players to fill out the roster.
Note:
When your two Star players are out and the Bulls beat the Bucks, well that tells you it is time for a change.
With this news perhaps Knickerbocker Al gets his wish of DeMar DeRozan traded to new york?
No surprise, I’ve been saying it for awhile. LaVine is not a fit for a contender (his game doesn’t translate to winning), and he’s not a fit for a building team (age, injury history and contract).
The Beal trade was the canary in the coal mine, or at least the first one. I’m sure a few more will need to drop before some of the existing 2k-ish FO’s get it. Teams need to STOP reflexively paying the maximum salary allowable under the CBA to every talented player; believing they can always move him and get something for him.
I do think CHI will get at least one chance to move LaVine, on break even terms, as long as they don’t complicate it. Maybe a team with a non-basketball agenda (POR-?). WSH had a one team market with Beal, and smartly jumped on it. Beal is a better player than LaVine.
Scary times for potential fanbases, me included
I too feel he will fall off a tree to somebody and am hoping that tree isn’t mine- I’ve heard some Cha rumors and Brk as well fitting your paragraph 3 points.
Also fear contenders with limited asset bases (most) will qualify in the 11th hr on just some expiring money matches and get the unfounded itch. (Lakers Clippers ect)
I don’t see how Chi loses the deal, nor how the new team, whoever that may be, benefits.
The worm is finally turning on these bad contracts which is nice to see. I hated the days of just dropping 200+ mill in the laps of someone because they made an all star team.
I think that’s right. The market, if any, will be contenders (or built to be contenders) with limited asset bases. But not the smarter ones. You just have to hope the LAL fall into the latter category. I think higher of Pelinka than most who post here, and I also suspect that he and the rest of the organization learned something from the Westbrick fiasco. LAL have their two superstars and don’t need a 3rd one; and, in the current environment, shouldn’t want to get near a 3rd guy posing as one.
There will definitely be a team willing to take LaVine. If teams were willing to take on Lillard at 33 years old and his $200m remaining then someone will take LaVine at 28 with $178m. Bulls will likely get back a late 1st, a rotational player and a cap relief player.
Lillard actually gives maximum effort and took his team to a conference finals.
Yeah he’s washed though
““I think the question for teams is, how much does Zach LaVine impact winning?” Wojnarowski said.”
When you consider that LaVine’s teams have averaged 29 wins per year, he’s only finished above .500 once, and he’s been to the playoffs only once in his 9+ years in the league, I’d say that he doesn’t impact winning all that much. Basketball is a team sport, sure, but a superstar can drag even bad teams to a playoff spot and the NBA is the easiest league to make the playoffs in. Yet there’s LaVine, with a superstar contract always watching the playoffs from home.
Yeah, can’t effect it too much, but those teams have all sucked and been built to fail
Nobody wants him. The bulls are foolish and they should have traded him 3 years ago.
Some players signed in off season can’t be moved until 12/15 and some in January. That said I doubt they get much for him. If Lavine is your #1 or 2 you are not a winner.
Ben Simmons and a 1st
So is he another Rudy gay ?
LaVine to Pacers
Philly gets Buddy Hield or DDR
Bulls 2 picks and finishing contracts (Buddy Hield) + youngsters
He’s not untraceable but the Bulls aren’t getting any big return for him. I’m sure it will end up being far less than what they’ve been asking for which is why his market dried up.
It will come back when the Bulls accept that LaVine was only a star to them and not the rest of the league.
Agreed. There isn’t a simple obvious answer what the Bulls should do. LaVine is a great offensive talent. LaVine shouldn’t be made into a scape goat for the Bull’s poor season so far. Still young enough. Maybe just best for the Bulls to keep LaVine.
Very much reminds me of the Sixers and Tobias Harris. We well overpaid for him and tried to find a trade but there just isn’t a market for overpaid 3rd best players. Zach is an all star and Tobias wasn’t but Tobias impacted winning more than Zach and was happy to sit back as the third best player.
I think Chicago isn’t of just riding it out as the Sixers have dome with Tobias need to try and find a trade, even if you accept less that what you value. Alex Caruso can step into the starting role at SG or you can slide DeRozan back to SH if you find a starting forward.
I’d prioritise young players, expiring deals and draft capital in that order as of late the bulls haven’t drafted well and first round picks seem to hold a lot of value these days. Here some examples….
1. Zach LaVine for Colin Sexton, THT and Taylor Hendricks.
Utah have been poor this season and may look for the upgrade of talent move. Zach allows them to keep starting Keyonte George and have Jordan Clarkson go back to his sixth man role he is really good at. Zach provides spacing and another go to scoring option with lots of length around him on defence. Bulls get back Sexton to replace Ball as the starting PG and paired with Caruso they’d be good. THT returns home as an expiring deal and Hendricks would be a huge addition at PF.
Not sure Jazz would be willing to give him up but they also haven’t used him much either to start his career.
2. Zach LaVine for Gordan Hayward, Miles Bridges and a couple second round picks.
Charlotte cashes in on Bridges by getting another star in Zach LaVine using Haywards big expiring deal. LaMelo Zach Miller Washington Williams. Definitely lacking defence but will sell tickets.
Chicago get back a huge expiring deal, some draft picks and a solid player in Bridges.
White DeRozan Bridges Williams and Vuce make a decent team. While guys like Caruso Hayward and Drummond provide good experience for the bench
Overpaid, and over extended. The Bulls(hit) front office thought with their hearts instead of their heads. LaVine was their only option at the time, but should have never doubled down on their mistake. If the Bulls front office would think with their heads, understand that sometimes you cannot buy your way out of things, and just take a bad season or two to get better draft picks and develop them properly then you have something, but that is not how the ‘Chairman’ (or apparently the Chairman Jr) typically does things.