The Chicago Bulls are unlikely to extend Zach LaVine before Monday's deadline but the team is expected to re-sign him as a restricted free agent in 2018.

The Bulls have expressed an interest in signing LaVine long-term but prefer to keep their financial flexibility for next offseason where he would have a lower cap hold, as well as determine how he looks coming back from a torn ACL.

“I want to be here for a long period of time,” LaVine said Sept. 25 at the team's media day. “If (an extension is) now or later, I know it’s going to be done either way.”

LaVine is expected to be cleared for contact in November.