Zach LaVine has found himself in trade talks after the Bulls’ disappointing season. If a team trades for him, they are certainly acquiring an elite scorer.
Chicago Bulls ownership has given the front office the green light to enter trade discussions regarding Zach LaVine, and this is rather understandable. Since acquiring LaVine in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Bulls only have one playoff appearance, where they were first-round exits (2021-22). They have exceeded 45 wins just once, never reaching 50.
The Bulls are looking for a sizable return for LaVine, and it makes sense. The former 13th pick is one of the league’s best scorers despite not getting recognition for such. He is a true three-level scorer, a term that is applied to too many players nowadays.
The #Bulls set the price tag on Zach LaVine, per @KCJHoop
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) June 19, 2023
Ideal return for LaVine:
- Talented young player
- Multiple 1st round picks
- Salary fillers to make the deal work pic.twitter.com/vbdL4oXXYJ
Once upon a time, LaVine was a raw athlete who could get downhill, finish, and shoot just decently. People knew him as the Dunk Contest champion who could throw down some mind-bending dunks. He was around 185 pounds, smaller than his now 200-pound frame. He now is elite in each of those three aforementioned categories, too, and is now thought of for his offensive skill and being a two-time All-Star.
LaVine’s not-amazing playmaking limits his offensive ceiling. He isn’t a top, premier offensive player because his passing just isn’t elite. He has the ability to make simple drive and kicks and is capable of making pocket passes. Now already being 28, it’s difficult to envision a sudden playmaking leap from LaVine.
But that’s okay. If a team trades for him, it’s because of his masterful scoring ability. He can truly do it all when it comes to bucket-getting. In each of the last three seasons, he has averaged at least 24 points per game above a 60 TS%. Let’s take a deeper dive into LaVine now.