The Chicago Bulls already extended a qualifying offer to Zach LaVine last week, but the shooting guard has yet to sign it, hoping that he and his people can persuade the Bulls into coming up with a longer and more lucrative deal. LaVine, who’s a restricted free agent, might get just what he’s wishing for.

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the shooting guard’s side and the Bulls are now talking about a deal that could net LaVine up to $18 million per year.

“They know this, which is why they’ve proactively negotiated with LaVine in good faith with a strong, multiyear offer that could be in the $18 million range annually.”

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It’s a salivating amount for LaVine, especially when put against the backdrop of the relatively meager $4.3 million qualifying offer the Bulls initially offered him.

LaVine came to Windy City via a trade, as he was shipped by the Minnesota Timberwolves last year along with Kris Dunn and the rights to Lauri Markkanen in exchange for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton. Notwithstanding an ACL injury he suffered in 2017, LaVine had an admirable campaign with the Bulls in his return from the injury. He played 24 games last season and averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.

The fact that the Bulls are looking to work out a bigger deal for LaVine also shows how optimistic they are of the former UCLA Bruins star’s ability to stay healthy even, after sustaining a serious knee injury.

Regardless of Markkanen’s stature now, LaVine clearly represented the biggest piece in the return for Butler, which is why some in the Timberwolves organization favored including Wiggins in the deal instead. LaVine had the same left ACL tear in his rearview mirror that he had when the Bulls traded for him and wouldn’t have been cleared to play last season if team doctors considered it an issue.