A quarter of the way through the 2023 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls have landed squarely in the land of mediocrity despite boasting three All-Stars, including Zach LaVine. Yet, Chicago is just 6-14 on the season and in 13th place in the Eastern Conference entering NBA games today.
Changes are necessary.
Bulls GM Marc Eversley has been trying to find ideal trade partners for some of the team’s core players, including LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and more. But so far, there hasn’t been much interest.
In fact, when it comes to LaVine, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggests there isn’t a single team in the NBA willing to trade for the 28-year-old two-time All-Star shooting guard.
Woj does have some advice for LaVine and the Bulls if they’re desperate to move things along, but sometimes things are much easier said than done.
“I think for both LaVine and the Bulls to get a trade, he needs to start playing well.”
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski on Zach LaVine’s trade market
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Part of the issue for LaVine and the Bulls is the contract signed in July of 2022. At the time, LaVine was 26 and coming off his second consecutive All-Star appearance, scoring 25.8 PPG over the past two seasons. It likely also didn’t hurt that the Bulls were coming off their first playoff appearance since 2017.
Zach LaVine contract: Five years, $215 million, $40M in 2023, signed thru 2026-27
LaVine maintained his efficiency last season, finishing with an effective field goal rate of .558, ranking 15th among guards. Yet, the Bulls couldn’t get back to the playoffs, and this year, they’ve fallen off the map completely.
Only this time, LaVine’s play has slipped too.
Zach LaVine stats 2023: 21 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 44% FG, 33% 3PT
A career 38 percent shooter from distance, LaVine is sinking just 33 percent of his 3-point attempts this season. It’s part of the reason his scoring average is down nearly four points, but his efficiency has also taken a nosedive too with an eFG% of .515 (102nd in NBA, compared to 53rd in 2022).
In other words, Woj is right when he suggests it wouldn’t hurt for LaVine to start making more shots. It may not help the Bulls’ playoff chances this season, but perhaps it would help him land with a contender.
