Why the Jazz may actually win a championship

The Chicago Bulls are anticipating keeping Zach LaVine on their roster to start the season with the hopes of him rebuilding his trade value from where it has been this offseason, sources tell Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The Bulls are incentivized to have the worst record possible as their first round pick in 2025 will be conveyed to the San Antonio Spurs if it falls out of the top-10.

LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls during his free agency in 2022. LaVine has three seasons at nearly $140 million remaining on his contract. LaVine has a player option for 26-27 worth $49 million that he almost certainly will pick up considering his current value around the league.

The Bulls also gauged trade interest in LaVine during the 2023 offseason, but maintained a “large asking price.”

LaVine, who is represented by Rich Paul and Lucas Newton, averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 34.9 minutes over 25 games last season with the Bulls. LaVine was most recently an All-Star in 21-22.