Eastern Rival Learns That Zach LaVine Trade Asking Price is “Huge”

The Chicago Bulls might not be certain just exactly what the future holds for their franchise, but one thing they seem to have made clear is that if any team is interested in dealing for two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, it'll cost a pretty penny. 

The Knicks contacted the Bulls about Zach LaVine this summer, but the asking price was “giant,” a source told @FredKatz.

The two sides, according to league sources, never got close.https://t.co/h23HJatvWB pic.twitter.com/mqOYPtr5zj

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) July 20, 2023

According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, when the New York Knicks came inquiring, the Bulls' asking price for LaVine was "giant."

New York made contact with the Chicago Bulls about their shooting guard, Zach LaVine, but the asking price for the two-time All-Star was “giant,” as one league source told The Athletic, which is exactly why LaVine remains in Chicago. The Knicks and Bulls, according to league sources, never got close.

LaVine rumors have been circulating a bit this offseason, as the Bulls seem to be at a crossroads, with Lonzo Ball set to sit out his second consecutive entire season after yet another knee surgery, and DeMar DeRozan heading into the final year of his contract at $28.6M. He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer. 

A young player with upside and multiple picks was said to be the price, according to the Philly Voice earlier this month, as the Philadelphia 76ers are also said to have been sniffing around on LaVine, along with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

LaVine still has four years remaining on his 5-year, $215M deal with the Bulls. He averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists this past season, while shooting 37.5% from distance. He was an All-Star in 2020-21 and '21-'22. 

But multiple rival executives have questioned whether LaVine will finish out the entirety of his five-year max contract with the Bulls. Trading him could be the only way they'd be able to vastly reshape the team into the future. 

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports