May 2023 Chicago Bulls Wiretap

Trading Zach LaVine Is Main 'Focal Point' For Bulls

Nov 29, 2023 11:03 PM

Trading Zach LaVine remains the top priority for Arturas Karnisovas, sources told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

Karnisovas is reportedly responding to inquiries for other players by saying he wants to see the Bulls roster post-LaVine trade.

Shams Charania reported earlier in the week that the Bulls would seek Austin Reaves in a potential deal with the Lakers.

Johnson adds that should the Bulls decide to rebuild through trades, Andre Drummond would also draw interest from around the league. 

K.C. Johnson/NBC Sports Chicago

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Joe Mazzulla Apologized To Andre Drummond For 'Hack-A' Strategy

Nov 29, 2023 9:04 AM

The Boston Celtics knew they were chasing point differential totals to advance in the In-Season Tournament. Boston needed to not only beat the Orlando Magic, but they had to stay far enough in front of the Brooklyn Nets too. The led to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla having his team employ the "Hack-A" strategy on Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.

Following the game, Mazzulla apologized to Drummond for the tactic. Mazzulla also said he talked with Bulls coach Billy Donovan about how the circumstances weren't just about staying in front of the Magic, but also the Nets.

For his part, Donovan said he didn't like Boston intentionally fouling Drummond. Donovan said, "I just felt bad for Andre in that situation." However, Donovan said he understood the Celtics were chasing the point differential tiebreaker to win Group C.

Jaylen Brown of the Celtics also said he didn't like the situation, even if he understood why it was a necessary one.

Jay King/The Athletic

Tags: Andre Drummond, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Would Covet Austin Reaves In Potential Zach LaVine Trade

Nov 29, 2023 8:55 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers have been mentioned as a potential trade suitor for Zach LaVine. One challenge is that the Lakers can't make any kind of deal for LaVine until closer to mid-December or mid-January, when offseason signees become trade eligible.

One of those players is Austin Reaves, who can't be traded until January 15. Per Shams Charania of FanDuelTV, the Chicago Bulls would covet Reaves in a potential LaVine deal.

Los Angeles would need to trade Chicago more than just Reaves to make the salary-matching work. However, Reaves and his team-friendly four-year, $54 million deal would be a good starting point in trade discussions between the two teams.

Shams Charania/FanDuelTV

Tags: Austin Reaves, Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Zach LaVine Trade Unlikely To Be Resolved Until Deadline

Nov 21, 2023 11:42 AM

Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls appear to be on the path to a separation, but a trade is unlikely to materialize in the near future.

The trade market could open up after December 15th when most players who signed contracts this past offseason become trade eligible, "a more realistic target it the Feb. 9 trade deadline," reports Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. 

LaVine's shot attempts have been down over the Bulls' past two games.

LaVine is signed through the 26-27 season and can become a free agent in 2026.

Darnell Mayberry/The Athletic

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Unhappy With Zach LaVine's Post-Game Actions

Nov 20, 2023 1:21 AM

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly unhappy with Zach LaVine's actions following their win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Cameras caught LaVine pulling his arm away from public-relations director Beth Esler as she tried to get him to do a post-game interview with the team's flagship TV station.

‘‘Just a miscommunication with the PR team. We’re all fine," said LaVine after the game.

The Bulls front office was "less than thrilled" with LaVine's behavior, with Billy Donovan also said to be angry.

LaVine has been the target of several recent trade rumors.

Joe Cowley/Chicago Sun-Times

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Zach LaVine: Bulls Players Are Doing Everything They Can

Nov 19, 2023 9:18 AM

When the Chicago Bulls lost a second straight game to the Orlando Magic on Friday, players were asked what adjustments need to be made. Zach LaVine, who is reportedly open to working with the team on a trade, said it's not on the players to figure it out.

“I mean, the players are doing everything they can,” LaVine said when asked whether the Bulls are making adequate adjustments. “I know everybody’s trying to do the best they can. We’ve just got to figure out something that works.”

As the spotlight turns toward head coach Billy Donovan, he doesn't think his team has given up.

“I don’t think they compete in the second half like they do if that (is the case),” Donovan said. “I don’t know. If I had the answer to that, we would try to get it corrected.”

The Bulls did bounce back to get a much-needed victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night. It was a balanced effort from Chicago, that saw all five starters score in double-figures.

Darnell Mayberry/The Athletic

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Expected To Have Interest In Zach LaVine

Nov 17, 2023 11:45 PM

The Toronto Raptors are expected to show interest in trading for Zach LaVine, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

"I'm told the Raptors are also expected to have some level of interest in LaVine. Masai Ujiri is always aggressive in his approach ... the Raptors are a team to watch," said Charania.

LaVine reportedly prefers a trade to the Lakers, Heat, or Sixers

Charania also confirmed that the Lakers, Heat, and Sixers are all expected to show interest in LaVine. 

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Zach LaVine Prefers Lakers, Heat, Sixers As Trade Destination

Nov 17, 2023 11:37 PM

Zach LaVine reportedly prefers to get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, or the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports.

LaVine is also interested in the Spurs and the Kings as a destination.

Sources add that LaVine does not view the Bulls roster as competitive, and is also looking to play under a different coach.

There is a belief around the league that a LaVine trade wouldn't happen until later in the season.

The Lakers, Heat, and Sixers have all registered interest in LaVine.

Jake Fischer/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia Sixers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Nets Unlikely To Have Interest In Zach LaVine

Nov 16, 2023 2:16 PM

The Brooklyn Nets are unlikely to pursue a trade for Zach LaVine, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

The Nets only have Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson under guaranteed contracts for the 2025 offseason while LaVine is signed through at least 25-26.

The Chicago Bulls are beginning to evaluate their trade options on LaVine.

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Mavericks Unlikely To Pursue Trade For Zach LaVine

Nov 15, 2023 1:21 PM

The Dallas Mavericks are unlikely to pursue Zach LaVine, one source tells Marc Stein.

The Mavericks already have a pair of ball dominant stars in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

LaVine is expected to be put on the trade block by the Chicago Bulls. The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are expected to be two of the teams with a more realistic chance of trading for LaVine.

LaVine is the second season of a five-year, $215 million contract.

Marc Stein/Substack

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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DeMar DeRozan, Bulls Could Look At Trades

Shams Charania/The Rally

Lakers, Heat, Sixers Expected To Have Interest In Zach LaVine

Shams Charania/The Rally

DeMar DeRozan Out Wednesday Due To Family Matter

Chris Haynes/Bleacher Report

Zach LaVine, Bulls Open To Exploring Trade

Shams Charania, Darnell Mayberry/The Athletic

Teams Monitoring Bulls Situation

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

DeMar DeRozan Not Worried About Extension

KC Johnson/ NBC Sports Chicago

Zach LaVine: Bulls Didn't Have Players Only Meeting On Opening Night

Vincent Goodwill/Yahoo Sports

Bulls Have No Intention Of Entertaining Zach LaVine Trade In Near Future

Joe Cowley/Chicago Sun-Times

Bulls Exercise 24-25 Option For Dalen Terry

RealGM Staff Report