Report reveals how desperate Bulls are to trade Zach LaVine

Dec 7, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) warms up before an NBA game against the Washington Wizards at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

A new report suggests just how desperate the Chicago Bulls are to offload Zach LaVine this offseason.

Bulls vice president Artūras Karnišovas has floated as many as 15 LaVine trade proposals to various teams so far this offseason, according to KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. The Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams the Bulls have approached, though they have yet to strike a deal.

It is telling that the Bulls appear to be the ones doing a lot of legwork on moving LaVine. The team would not be able to re-sign both DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams as well as bring in a first-round pick without entering the luxury tax unless they can find a way to offload LaVine’s $43 million cap hit. That money, however, is the biggest impediment to moving him, especially since the guard has dealt with numerous injury issues in recent years.

LaVine certainly appears to be the odd man out of the Chicago roster. The team has reportedly lowered their asking price in a bid to move him on as quickly as possible, but it has yet to work. The 29-year-old was limited to just 25 games last season, where he averaged 19.5 points per game.