For years, the Chicago Bulls have leaned heavily on Zach LaVine for scoring. Yet, while the 28-year-old guard’s individual stats have shone, his contributions haven’t consistently translated into wins for the franchise. Add a string of injuries and rumored tension with coaching staff, and the Bulls have found themselves at a crossroads with their high-flying star.
Despite efforts to trade LaVine last season, injuries stifled his market appeal. However, early in the 2024 season, he’s driving that value back up. Averaging 26 points per game on a blistering 45.7% from beyond the arc and boasting a 69.8% true shooting percentage, LaVine’s numbers show he’s in peak form. But that hasn’t shifted the needle in his trade market.
As Evan Sidery pointed out on social media, the Bulls are still hopeful they can find a new home for LaVine, yet teams hesitated over the summer. And it’s not hard to see why. LaVine’s contract is hefty: $43 million this season, $46 million next year, and a player option worth over $48 million the following year. Under the NBA’s new CBA, absorbing a contract of this size could mean steep fines, luxury tax hits, and a potential chokehold on a team’s cap flexibility.
While LaVine’s game has evolved and he remains an elite scorer, injury concerns combined with his massive salary mean the Bulls would likely have to sweeten the deal with first-round picks to make a trade happen—something few rebuilding teams are willing to do. For now, the Bulls are left hoping LaVine’s performance will pique the interest of a team desperate for scoring power, but his contract remains a massive roadblock on the path to a trade.
