LaVine seeking a top salary of over 200 million for 5 years does not guarantee to stay with the Bulls will consider all team offers to sign on the basis of merit.
According to the latest news from Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Sullivan, Bulls star Zach Lavin hopes to sign a five-year contract of more than $200 million this summer, with an average annual salary of $40 million. LaVine does not rule out the possibility of signing other teams, considering the contract offers offered by all teams, Bulls general manager Mark Eversley said that he will try to meet LaVine's requirements and retain the team's core lineup.
The Bulls and LaVine's early contract extension talks did not reach an agreement before the start of the season, and LaVine's four-year, $78 million contract will expire this summer, when LaVine will become a full free agent. The Bulls will keep LaVine at the top salary, and four players will be paid at least $19.5 million, DeRozan for $27.3 million next season, Vucevic for $22 million and Lonzo Ball for $19.53 million. For the Bulls to maintain the basic lineup of the season, keeping LaVine at the top salary is the most reasonable choice.
The 26-year-old has played in 47 games this season, averaging 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 34.6 minutes per game, shooting 48.2% from the field, shooting 39.9% from three-point range, averaging 4.2 shots in 7.2 shots per game and shooting 86.9% from the free throws. After the Bulls signed DeMar DeRozan, Lavin's data fluctuations were not large, last season Lavin averaged 19.4 shots per game to first place in the team, and this season DeRozan averaged 19.9 shots per game for the first place in the Bulls, and the chemistry of the game between the two was quite good.
"I'm excited about the Bulls' results and performances this season." Lavin told reporters, "Everybody knows, I need to move on, it's a whole new experience for me. The Bulls tied for first place in the East with the Heat 38-21 before All-Star Weekend, with the team's defensive offensive and defensive balance being the foundation, the Ravin and DeRozan double-gun combination being the arrow, and the two were both named to the All-Star team to become the NBA's most successful twin-star combination. Whether this combination can continue or not depends on LaVine's decision after the end of the season.
"Becoming a free agent is an important part of my career." Speaking about the options he faced this summer, LaVine said, "This is the first time in my career that I have truly become an unrestricted free agent. I've experienced it once before, it's restricted free agents, and this year it's a whole new experience. I hope to end my career in Chicago, what will happen in the future no one can predict, staying is the primary option, but I will consider all the offer options and possibilities and hope to make the best decision. ”
In 2018, As a restricted free agent, the Bulls matched the 4-year, $78 million contract given by the Kings. This summer, LaVine can sign a minimum $4-year, $200 million contract with the Bulls, and if LaVine chooses to sign other teams, he can get a four-year, $170 million contract, and if LaVine is selected to the best team after the season, according to the NBA labor agreement, his new contract salary can rise.
'This summer, the biggest job of the team is to complete the renewal of the contract with LaVine, and we are confident of keeping the best player in the team." Bulls general manager Mark Eversley said, "The team will do everything in their power to agree with the LaVine team. "With Lavin's performance and age, there's little suspense about signing a top-salary contract. In these two seasons, LaVine averaged 26 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game, shooting 41% from three-point range.
"In terms of the overall situation of the team and the league, I think we are at the level we should be, we have the level and the strength to compete with the top teams." LaVine continued, "I'm not going to let the chips that I signed the max-salary contract drop and do my best to do my best. Is signing a maximum salary my goal? I don't know if it can be achieved, but I think it should be obtained. ”
