Zach LaVine wouldn't have been my first guess in a game of "Guess who broke the bank?"
In the end, Chicago Bulls disclosed their true feelings by flashing a wad of cash. Rumors had been swirling: the Chicago Bulls looked unsure of their future pieces, and you could hardly blame them for feeling uncertain. LaVine, the most proven player on their young squad, cost the franchise a cool $78 million just "off the river" cards alone. If roughly $80 mill buys you a 4-year looking glass in today's NBA, it's no wonder Andrew Wiggins got a max contract before he proved his mettle with the 'Wolves.
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The Chicago Bulls had 48 hours to match Sacramento's wild pitch. Had they relinquished his rights, LaVine would have joined a crowded backcourt of D'Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield, all players in similar position as LaVine, looking to set themselves apart from a platoon cast. On the surface, letting go of Zach Lavine would have been a PR disaster for the organization, considering he was a key component in the Jimmy Butler trade with Minnesota. The 5th year guard spent most of the season on the sidelines recovering from a torn ACL, but when did return he acquitted himself fast, posting averages of 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists during a short 24 game window.
