The Chicago Bulls have begun fielding trade offers for All-Star guard Zach LaVine in advance of the 2023 NBA Draft. As the organization contemplates reshaping its roster, the asking price to acquire LaVine could push some teams away.
LaVine, one of the 50 best players in the NBA, was traded to Chicago in 2017 along with the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen in exchange for Jimmy Butler. He earned his first All-Star Game selection with the team in 2021, blossoming into a top scorer and an essential piece in the Bulls’ early success.
- Zach LaVine stats (2022-’23): 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 48.5% FG, .123 WS/48
However, despite being Chicago’s best player over the last four seasons, the Bulls have only made the playoffs twice and have finished with a losing record in three seasons. Now, LaVine is on the trade block and Chicago has set a strong price for him.
According to Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice, teams that have inquired about LaVine have found Chicago’s asking price to be significant. With multiple first-round picks and a high-upside talent required for a deal to even be considered.
“Chicago would want a package centered around a younger player with upside and multiple picks for LaVine, sources say.”
Kyle Neubeck on Chicago Bulls’ asking price for Zach LaVine
Related: NBA mock draft 2023
The cost of acquiring LaVine might be helped by the Marcus Smart trade, with the Boston Celtics receiving two first-round picks from the Memphis Grizzlies and landing Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. One thing Chicago reportedly made clear to teams, it’s not going to entertain offers that reflect what Washington received for Bradley Beal.
- Zach LaVine contract: $40.064M salary (2023-’24), $43.043M salary (2024-’25), $46M salary (2025-’26), $48.967 million player option in 2026
In addition to being one of the highest-paid NBA players, LaVine’s contract also includes a 15 percent trade bonus. However, the two-time All-Star selection doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
With both LaVine and DeMar DeRozan floated in NBA trade rumors at the start of the offseason, it’s possible Chicago breaks up its All-Star duo and creates a new foundation for the future.