The Sacramento Kings were quick to the trigger, offering Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Zach LaVine a four-year, $78 million offer sheet.
The Bulls matched that offer sheet, allowing the shooting guard to remain with the team that traded for him last summer.
“I am happy,” LaVine said ahead of the Bulls Sunday night game against the Lakers in Thomas and Mack Center, according to Malika Andrews of The Chicago Tribune. It was the first time he addressed media since inking his new contract.
“I am in a really good place,” he continued. “I am extremely excited. I am glad all the mayhem is over. I really didn’t have to deal with it – my agent dealt with a lot of it. I am ready to get back and I am happy to be able to call Chicago home for a good amount of time.”
The offer came with an injury clause, which could prove a safety net for any team willing to take a gamble on LaVine's torn ACL, which ended his 2016-17 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
That stipulation will carry with the Bulls, as they are required to match his offer sheet to the letter if they are to keep his rights as a free agent.
“I think any team would’ve put that in there,” LaVine said. “If it’s Chicago or any other team and I’m fine with that. I feel 100 percent stable in my knee. I work on it every day and I have no concerns about that.”
LaVine was coming off his best year yet, posting 18.9 points per game with the Timberwolves before the injury took place, returning midway through the 2017-18 season and posting 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
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