Vincent Goodwill believes Bulls could 'maybe' get a 1st-round pick back in a Zach LaVine trade if they showcase patience

(670 The Score) Yahoo Sports insider Vincent Goodwill believes that the Bulls could get a solid asset back in a trade of guard Zach LaVine if the organization showcases enough patience — perhaps even a first-round pick.

LaVine, 29, has been on the trade block since at least last November, when news surfaced that both he and the Bulls were open to a change of scenery.
The trouble is that LaVine’s market hasn’t materialized to the Bulls’ liking, which is why LaVine continues to find himself as a member of an organization that has embarked on a youth movement and is looking to keep its top 10-protected pick in a strong 2025 NBA Draft.

If the status quo continues, it would create an awkward dynamic when training camp opens in late September and when the regular season starts, particularly because the Bulls are set to turn to Josh Giddey and Coby White as their starting backcourt.

Does that mean LaVine would be the de facto small forward in a three-guard lineup? How awful would Chicago’s defense be in that scenario? Would LaVine stunt White’s promising upward trajectory? What would the relationship be like between LaVine and head coach Billy Donovan?

Those questions are all reasons why the Bulls want to move LaVine, but they’d rather not attach as asset to do so. Many across the NBA believe the Bulls won’t get much back in a trade of LaVine, but Goodwill thinks they could get a first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NBA Draft. He doesn't think it's possible to land a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

LaVine has three years and $138 million left on his contract. He was limited to 25 games due to injuries last season, which was cut short for him by season-ending foot surgery. He averaged 24.8 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range on high volume in the 2022-’23 season.

“Maybe you could get a first,” Goodwill said on the Parkins & Spiegel Show on Friday.

“I think that’s possible. I do think that’s possible (in 2026 or 2027). Because I think at a point – and I know that Chicago might have Zach LaVine fatigue to some degree. At some point, some team will look at him and say, ‘Oh that’s not a contract, that’s a player.’ I think we’re at the point now, we’re firmly in the point where, ‘Zach LaVine is a contract, a guy who’s had health issues, maybe he doesn’t get along with his coach.’ And you’re missing all the efficiency there. You’re missing the fact that if he’s your third-best player and you’re asking him to score and defend on the ball, that you’ve got something really, really critical and really, really good here."

Goodwill then noted that NBA teams have a habit of making “copycat”-type mistakes.

“They don’t look at the player as a basketball player,” Goodwill said. “They look at them as a spot on the salary cap. And I think Zach has unfortunately been caught in that and maybe some reputational stuff.”