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We arrive at the next Bulls star with scuttle surrounding his name, Zach LaVine.
Our own Michael Scotto reported this week that several teams, including the Knicks, are monitoring the availability of LaVine ahead of the trade deadline:
Just before Chicago executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley arrived in Las Vegas for the Showcase, Bulls star Zach LaVine drew the frustration of his teammates during a blowout loss to Minnesota. Several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, are monitoring whether LaVine will become available on the trade market after Chicago’s underwhelming start to the season at 12-18, Lonzo Ball’s return from injury in question, and Nikola Vucevic’s looming free agency.
That goes with what Shams Charania reported as well this week, that multiple teams are hoping LaVine becomes available.
LaVine spoke to The Athletic directly about the frustration felt by the team trying to right the ship:
“There’s a certain level of frustration in people trying to figure out what we can do to help right the ship,” LaVine told The Athletic. “I think with the players that we have, we try to put it on each other to right the ship. We have those types of guys, those types of mentalities where each of us have been number one options on a team before and then we all come together collectively. I think everybody goes through ups and downs, just like every team does,” LaVine told The Athletic on Tuesday when asked about the matter. “Obviously if we’re not winning games, not everybody’s going to be happy. It’s not going to look as good as it was before. It’s all glitter and show when you’re winning games.
Finally (boy, it’s been a busy week for the Bulls), it was reported this week that the pre-game blowup for Chicago was at least in part regarding LaVine’s defense – or lack thereof:
Donovan confirmed the incident before the Heat game, but also said that he was not in the locker room when it happened, only informed about it afterwards. The genesis of those words being said? The constant defensive breakdowns that had been happening over the previous five games, but specifically taking place in that first half against an undermanned Minnesota squad. While LaVine wasn’t named in the call-out, it was said to be directed at him.
We’ll see what happens with the Bulls, but we don’t envy the mess head coach Billy Donovan has on his hands right now.
Might this turn into a DeRozan-or-LaVine thing for Chicago? Stay tuned to find out.
For the latest Zach LaVine trade rumors and salary info, click here.
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