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The Chicago Bulls have the makings of an Eastern Conference powerhouse for years to come. But after failing to negotiate an extension with Zach LaVine in the offseason, getting pen to paper is essential to lock of their core.
While the clear expectation is for him to stay with the Bulls, he's not exactly planning to take a pay cut for whatever reason. This is Zach LaVine's first run at unrestricted free agency. With a potential max contract at stake, the 26-year-old was vocal on where his head is at in terms of negotiating a new deal.
Via Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports:
“I think we all get what we deserve at the level we play at, for our team and around the league,” said the Bulls star. “I think I stack up with everybody at that level. We’ll let the chips fall. Is the [max] the goal? I don’t know if it’s the goal, but I should be getting what I deserve. I’ll let them tell me what that is and we’ll go from there.”
While DeMar DeRozan has arguably been the Bulls' most valuable player this season, Zach LaVine isn't far behind. His numbers have gone down a tad from previous seasons, but he's on pace to shatter his career high in the most important category – wins.
With Chicago atop the Eastern Conference and LaVine once again being named an All-Star in the middle of his prime, it's hard to imagine the team offering him too much below a max deal, if not one outright. LaVine truly believes that he's let his play do the talking.
“That’s why I don’t have to talk about it,” LaVine said. “I’ll go into the offseason, after this year and be very satisfied with what I think I’ll get and I’ll be happy for me and my family.”
Chicago is in a position to upend the established hierarchy in the East. If Zach LaVine and the Bulls make some major noise come postseason time, a big money deal in the offseason is sure to follow.
