Why the Chicago Bulls will re-sign Zach LaVine

Let’s tackle some of the reasons that it would behoove the Chicago Bulls to re-sign shooting guard Zach LaVine.

While we look forward with rapt attention to whom the Chicago Bears will selection the 2018 NBA Draft, let’s not forget that there are other pressing roster decisions to consider for the Bulls heading into the future.

For one thing, they might still have able to trade away some assets, like Justin Holiday and/or Robin Lopez, for future draft capital or even to move up in this year’s draft and grab a potentially franchise-changing player.

After all, the Bulls did pull off a big draft-day trade last season, dealing Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves to grab some core pieces for the future.

Speaking of which…

One of those core pieces, shooting guard Zach LaVine, is about to be a restricted free agent this summer. And the Chicago Bulls will have a decision to make about his future.

Right now, LaVine has a qualifying offer of $4.43 million and a “cap hold” of $9.61 million on the Bulls’ books, though they undoubtedly intend to pay him more. And with staying healthy and showing flashes of his early play, the Bulls should be prepared to match a fairly significant offer sheet if they don’t lock him up with a long-term deal.

With LaVine, the question is whether or not the team wants to offer him the full max contract he can earn (five years, $146 million) or something a bit less.

The question is not, however, whether or not the Chicago Bulls will re-sign him. Barring a complete communication breakdown or Kris Dunn keying one of his custom cars, they will.

And this is why the Bulls will be right to make him part of their plans for the foreseeable future.