The Chicago Bulls have finally become a playoff team again. Although they lost in the first round in just five games, they snapped their four-year playoff drought after a big offseason. Although they have plenty of ways they could improve the roster in the offseason, they must first keep Zach LaVine in the house.

LaVine will likely need knee surgery this offseason but he is not expected to be hampered for the long run. He is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. His contributions to the Bulls extend far beyond this year but the past few years. While Chicago struggled to find quality players and stumbled through a rebuild, LaVine became a star and a player good enough to build a good team around.

LaVine is eligible for a max contract worth $212 million over five years, which would pay him an average annual value of $42.4 million per year. That's a lot of money — it would make him one of the highest-paid players in the whole league.

The Bulls should not be afraid to pay LaVine a max contract. He has earned it and trying to get cute could ruin their chances of improving.

2 reasons Bulls must give Zach LaVine a $212 million max contract

2. It's the obvious move to keep the team going

The Bulls have no reason to walk away from the team they have so soon. Refusing to pay LaVine would be a nonsensical move that would instantly tarnish their hopes of growing into a title contender.

Even if LaVine isn't worth all of the $212 million that he would be getting paid in the Bulls' eyes, it makes much more sense to pay him than not. The price for good players is rising and LaVine is certainly a good player. His efficient, high-volume scoring has made him an All-Star over the prior two seasons.

Penny pinching will get the Bulls nowhere fast. The name of the game is to win a championship, not sign bargain contracts. Although doing the latter can help with the former, it's not always possible. This is especially the case with stars, which are required in order to even compete at a high level.

LaVine has dedicated himself to Chicago, developed into a star and played through pain en route to their first playoff appearance in nearly half a decade. He will be compensated handsomely and it should be the Bulls who pay him.

1. They wouldn't be able to do much else

If the Bulls cleared as much cap space as possible for this year's free agency, they would not have any room for a high-caliber player that could replace LaVine.

Chicago assembled this core with LaVine in mind. He has been their key player ever since he was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Backing out now would be worrisome unless they have a sign-and-trade lined up. Finding such a deal that would net them a star good enough to replace him, however, will be a tall task.

The Bulls run the risk of losing LaVine's trust if they show that they don't want to pay him. If Chicago and LaVine can agree on a contract below the max-contract level or make some of the money a partial guarantee with performance-based incentives, that would be beneficial. But they shouldn't come into negotiations expecting to get it so easy.

Although the Bulls' contract books would be stuffed with LaVine's new deal, they shouldn't be too worried. Paying LaVine more than he is worth will still get you his brilliant on-court services. Not paying him may not lead to another star. It is the after choice to pay him and continue to build around him.