The Chicago Bulls had a solid 2021-2022 season, but had a disappointing finish. After being one of the hottest teams for much of the year, they struggled down the stretch and were easily handled by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. With the offseason underway, minds have shifted to guard Zach LaVine.

He is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. LaVine has previously made it very clear that he wants a max contract. To be fair, he has probably earned it. The two-time All-Star has taken a big step forward in his career the last couple years into one of the preeminent scorers in the league.

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But as Bulls insider K.C. Johnson noted, Zach LaVine returning to Chicago is no longer a lock. One of the biggest talking points this week at the NBA Draft Combine has been the future of LaVine. The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trailblazers are the four organizations that have been directly linked to the Bulls guard.

It should be noted though that of the four teams linked to LaVine, only the Blazers have the flexibility to clear a max-salary cap spot.

Bulls President Michael Reinsdorf has openly acknowledged the team is willing to go into the luxury tax for only the second time in franchise history to retain LaVine's services. But knowing LaVine is slated for arthroscopic knee surgery next week, it would not be shocking if Reinsdorf did not live up to his promises.