Zach LaVine’s return to the Chicago Bulls may not be guaranteed heading into free agency this summer, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
On Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast, he revealed that teams around the League had gotten the impression that LaVine was “off the market.”
However, there isn’t a guarantee about him staying in the Windy City with the Bulls. According to Windhorst, the Trail Blazers have “popped up” as a potential landing spot for the two-time All-Star. While there is no indication that LaVine intends to leave, Windhorst reported that LaVine’s recent comments made people around the League alter their expectations.
“I plan to enjoy free agency,” he said per ESPN. “We’re going to have to experience A through Z without making any fast decisions. I think that’s something me and [agent Rich Paul] are going to go through and experience.”
The Blazers are in the market for a star like LaVine, with a projected $48.4 million in salary-cap space after Portland traded CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., Robert Covington, and Norman Powell ahead of the trade deadline. The real question is, will LaVine be worth signing to help build a contender around Damian Lillard. LaVine can reportedly earn as much as $213.3 million over five years with the Bulls. If he leaves, he can $157.4 million over four years.
LaVine has averaged 24.4 points and 4.4 assists on shooting 38.9 percent from beyond the arc in his five seasons with the Bulls. He is also reportedly considering surgery to address a lingering issue with his knee.
