Bulls Aim to Salvage Relationship With Two-Time NBA All-Star

The Chicago Bulls entered the 2024 NBA offseason with several goals, including a potential Zach LaVine trade. The Bulls' unimpressive 2023-24 performance led to an attempt to move the two-time NBA All-Star wing ahead of last season's deadline, however, a campaign-ending ankle injury put any trade plans on pause until the summer.

Fast forward to September and LaVine is still on the Bulls' roster with the 2024-25 season right around the corner. While there's still plenty of time to deal the 29-year-old veteran before the new season begins, Chicago is ready to retract any trade plans.

Joe Crowley of the Chicago Sun Times is reporting that the Bulls are working on salvaging their relationship with the former 2014 13th-overall pick.

The fact that the Bulls are hoping to salvage their relationship with LaVine suggests that there isn't much of a trade market for the experienced sharpshooter. Having said that, the lack of trade developments isn't all that surprising.

For starters, LaVine is nearing 30 while coming off the most injury-plagued season of his 10-year NBA career. Given how much his game relies on his speed and athleticism, it's understandable that people are wondering if he can still be an explosive threat.

Secondly, LaVine's potential albatross of a contract also likely posed a roadblock for any interested suitors. He's set to carry an average cap hit of about $44.5 million across the next two seasons, per Spotrac, with a $48.9 million player option in 2026-27.

Although that's a fair price to pay for prime LaVine, it could become one of the worst contracts in the NBA if he can't bounce back this season. His latest performance was the worst of his Bulls tenure as he averaged 19.5 points on .452/.349/.854 shooting splits while adding 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists across 25 games.

Time will tell if a potentially repaired Bulls-LaVine relationship helps the franchise return to the playoffs after missing back-to-back postseasons. Chicago will have its first chance to build momentum when it opens the 2024-25 regular season on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Oct. 23.