Since Michael Jordan retired and left the Chicago Bulls after the 1997–98 season and the rest of “The Last Dance” squad came apart, this organization has struggled. Despite boasting an All-Star trio of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine, the Bulls only made the Eastern Conference Finals once in 2011 and have not won a postseason series since 2015.
The Chicago Bulls’ project revolves around Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. And, as promising as they appeared at first, it looks like it will be years before they are legitimate NBA competitors. The Chicago Bulls may try to trade Zach LaVine, and the New York Knicks have expressed interest. However, it will not be a simple deal.
Knicks “made contact” with Bulls regarding a Zach LaVine trade but the asking price was “giant,” per @FredKatz pic.twitter.com/JFSR44JYTD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 21, 2023
According to reports, the New York Knicks’ quest for roster improvements led them to inquire about Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. According to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, New York “made contact” with Chicago about a trade for LaVine, but the price they asked for was “giant,” and the two parties “never got close” to a deal.
Nonetheless, we should keep an eye on this story as the season progresses, as conversations may resume if the Bulls struggle or the Knicks believe they need just one more piece to get over the hump.
Zack LaVine is not interested in a trade out of the Chicago Bulls
The management of the Chicago Bulls has done everything possible to develop a competitive team during Zach LaVine’s stint with the team. However, it did not go as they thought it would. Former All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic have been brought in, but it hasn’t resulted in much success. They’ve only made it to the playoffs once since 2018.
Zach and his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, have made it known that they are not interested in a trade to the Knicks, who “have a reputation around the league of favoring CAA clients,” according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Zach LaVine stays loyal to the Windy City! 🌆❤️ pic.twitter.com/XeVBJWE1oR
— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) July 22, 2023
“I don’t see anything happening anytime soon. But if it does, Chicago always has my love,” said LaVine.
Since he was traded to the Bulls in 2017, LaVine has made a name for himself as one of the league’s top scorers. LaVine has averaged 24.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range in six seasons with the Bulls. He was named to the All-Star Game in both 2021 and 2022.
Despite their lack of success, stars have shown loyalty to their teams in the past. The first name that comes to mind is Damian Lillard. Having stated that we can observe that every star eventually reaches a breaking point. LaVine may be content right now, but he might change his mind at any time.
