Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine has cemented himself as the cornerstone piece of this team for the foreseeable future. 

After signing a five-year max contract worth nearly $215 million, LaVine, a two-time all-star will be under contract until 2027. 

Heading into the season, there was a belief around the NBA that LaVine could test out free agency. After spending the last five seasons with the Bulls, LaVine could have at least explored other options. 

But instead, the eight-year veteran chose to stay in Chicago. LaVine and the Bulls finished with a record of 46-36 and made a trip to the NBA playoffs. While their post-season ended in a first-round exit, it was still LaVine's first trip to the playoffs. 

Per Westerlund, LaVine decided to not meet with any organization outside of the Bulls. That shows just how committed he is to both the roster and the organization. And it should also excite fans.

LaVine finished the season posting a stat line of 24.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, and 4.6 RPG, even while dealing with lingering injuries throughout nearly the entire year. 

When looking at how the Bulls roster is currently constructed, they are currently headlined by the trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar Derozan, and Nikola Vucevic. They are also expecting a true breakout year from third-year forward Patrick Williams. 

The return of both Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso will also be a large factor in this team's success. The signings of Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond will also add much-needed depth. 

A fully-healthy roster, led by two potential MVP candidates in Zach LaVine and DeMar Derozan, could see the Bulls make a legitimate playoff run in 2022.