The Chicago Bulls have been trying to trade Zach LaVine for over a year, without success. Other teams see him as an expensive rebounder, a player earning $138 million over the next three seasons, who can score points in isolation but is injury-prone (25 games last season) and doesn’t the little things that contribute to a high level. -team success at level (like defending).
Chicago starts the season with LaVine and he looked sharp against Memphis on Saturday, scoring 28 and going 6 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Here’s what Bulls coach Billy Donovan said after the game about LaVine, via Sam Smith of NBA.com.
“Zach was really decisive. He made his shots when they were there. What was encouraging about the three, there was no hesitation; he just went up and shot. He got off to a good start, a Incredible shooting from three. He can go 0 for 4 and then come back and go 6 for 6, so I never worry (if he misses, I thought he was really decisive, and when he had daylight and a crack) he was successful. We need him to do that. When he has speed, his athleticism and his ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor. is really difficult to guard players in transition.
The question was never, “Can LaVine score enough?” He has long been elite, isolated and in transition as a finisher.
LaVine, showing that he is healthy and playing well to start the season, can do several things. One – which Bulls fans should hope for – is that it increases his trade value. Second, if he plays well, with Josh Giddey finding his groove as a shot creator and Nikola Vucevic being healthy and sharp, the Bulls can start winning games and looking like a playmaking team. Which could lead to ownership to put the brakes (again) on a rebuild needed to chase a playoff spot.
One thing is certain: if LaVine plays like this, there will be many highlights.
