Rich Paul rips slander of Zach LaVine amid trade rumors

The most commonly discussed trade rumor in the NBA carried over from the 2023-24 NBA regular season right into the offseason. Zach LaVine's agent and Klutch Sports Group CEO, Rich Paul, sounds like a man tired of hearing the slander directed at his client.

As the Chicago Bulls continue to seek a trade partner for LaVine, Paul spoke with K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago and fired back at the criticism the 29-year-old guard has received.

“I want to make this clean and clear: This whole idea that Zach has been anything but professional in this situation is false," Paul said. "This guy has played hurt. He has represented the franchise with class. A lot has taken place during his time with the Bulls, and he’s taken the high road every time,” Paul said by phone. “Does every player get frustrated at times? Yes. But Zach has been the ultimate professional and deserves better. The Bulls have business to do. And we’re letting them handle their business.”

Paul's firm defense of LaVine comes as the guard has been rumored to be on the trade block for the past year, if not longer. And as the NBA offseason rolls on, the potential suitors and teams who could realistically add LaVine financially continue to dwindle by the day.

A potential LaVine trade remains more of a "when," not an "if," but with three years and nearly $140 million remaining on his current deal, including a player option in 2026-27, it's anyone's guess what the timeline for a deal looks like at this point.