The Chicago Bulls are going through a tough rebuilding phase that could take years to complete. Their roster certainly lacks talent, and it will take years for the Bulls to be able to compete in the NBA again. Though, the Bulls do have Zach LaVine, a promising young guard who was traded to the team in the offseason.
As it turns out, the Bulls have an incentive to extend LaVine this summer, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
If negotiations don’t go well, LaVine holds the right to play next season on his $4.4 million qualifying offer — although that certainly feels like a far-fetched scenario for a player with a torn ACL in his past.
Plus, there’s certainly incentive for the Bulls to sign LaVine this summer. They can do so after starting the offseason with his cap hold of $9.6 million on the books, make their other offseason moves and then sign him with his new number for 2018-19…With an expected cautious climate in free agency, the Bulls could negotiate from a position of strength.
LaVine is coming from a torn ACL injury this year, which should cast some doubt on an extension this summer. LaVine is currently averaging 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Though, he is shooting 38 percent from the field and 34 percent from deep. It remains to be seen how effective LaVine will be for the Bulls moving forward.
Even if Bulls have an incentive to sign him to an extension in the summer, it won't make sense to invest an exorbitant contract on a player that isn't efficient. Right now, the Bulls should be grateful to have a player like LaVine at their point of their rebuilding phase. He still needs to prove himself in the NBA, but if the Bulls will benefit from signing it, they should go ahead and make the move.
Follow Us
Subscribe