Projecting the Bulls' 2024-25 Lineup After DeRozan Trade, Offseason Moves

SF: Zach LaVine (To be replaced by Matas Buzelis)

I’m aware no self-respecting team would ever have LaVine guarding small forwards, but that’s what he is on the ESPN depth chart. They currently don’t have a listed shooting guard. Neat!

Anyhow, I’m beginning to fear that there is no deal that will have LaVine in a differently uniform before the trade deadline. His hangnail of a contract and rapidly deteriorating vibes – after playing only 25 games, no less – couldn’t entice anyone, even a potential double salary dump of him and Andrew Wiggins.

Even as he and the Bulls go through their Kramer vs. Kramer saga, I think both sides can agree LaVine needs to rebuild value before he can be acquired in any way that benefits Chicago. A career 24 points per game scorer and 38 percent three-point shooter as a Bull, LaVine can show up, be healthy, and be on a desperate contender in a few months.

Which conveniently clears the way for Buzelis! The Hinsdale native has already endeared himself with Chicagoans with his tearful exuberance on draft night, and fell to Chicago after previously being ranked as high as #1 overall a year prior.

So, what can he do? Good question – maybe everything, probably nothing at first. His shot looks good, and his touch shows up in game, particularly for someone who’ll turn 20 during the season. He’s quick at 6’ 8” and can jump with NBA athletes (6th best lane agility time at the draft combine, 38” vertical). I can’t ignore 27.3 percent from three, but everything associated with the Ignite felt like the fake school they created in the movie Accepted. I’m just glad he and Ron Holland’s checks cleared.

Letting Buzelis make mistakes and develop is a far greater use of minutes than persisting with an ornery star. Even if he stinks from deep, there’ll be more than a few highlights that’ll whet Bulls fans’ appetites while he grows.