3 Bulls on Thin Ice Heading Into the NBA Draft

3. Zach LaVine, SF/SG

The NBA Draft has seen its fair share of blockbuster trades in the past. If history is any indication, there's a decent chance that the Bulls could wind up moving Zach LaVine in just a few short days.

LaVine was involved in trade rumors throughout the 2023-24 regular season and likely would've been moved if his campaign hadn't prematurely ended due to injury. He made a grand total of 25 appearances by the time the dust settled, averaging 19.5 points (on .452/.349/.854 splits), 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 0.8 steals.

Now that we're in the NBA offseason, the LaVine-centric trade rumors are back in full force. As great as the 29-year-old was for the Bulls in the past, the franchise is due for a rebuild and there isn't anyone bigger that they can trade than the former two-time All-Star wing. Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer lists the Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia as the top potential trade partner candidates.

Even if the Bulls can't replace LaVine with someone who's immediately as good as him through the draft, there might not be a better time than now to move him. He will carry an average cap hit of around $44.5 million over the next two seasons with a $48.9 million player option in 2026-27, making it a contract that could potentially get uglier if his injury woes remain persistent.

Thanks for the memories, Zach, but it's time to move on.

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