Bulls guard Zach LaVine has complete understanding of his situation
ATLANTA – Zach LaVine has always been comfortable in his own skin.That’s never been in question.Being comfortable in his own standing with his team? Well, that’s where it’s gotten dicey.Whether it’s been the Bulls letting him go to the market as a restricted free agent back in 2018, deciding if they wanted to offer him the max contract in the summer of ‘22, or making him a constant trade rumor for more than two years since, LaVine’s relationship with the Bulls is complicated, to say the least.And now he’s entered the 2024-25 campaign knowing that when, and if, the Bulls get any sort of trade offer that makes sense for them, he’s gone.Yet, LaVine has come to peace with all of it.Even more impressive, the organization succeeding in whatever direction they want to go with him is still his top priority rather than playing with one foot out the door.“I don’t think you ever lower expectations,” LaVine said. “You go into each game trying to win, regardless. I don’t care if you have the lowest expectations on the totem pole, we’re trying to win games, at least I am. I’m not here trying to throw no games. Been in Chicago for years, we’re not trying to lose games.“But understanding the situation we’re in with the guys, we’re trying to develop dudes as well. You know, how can the veteran guys put their footprint into the game and help us win, but also help raise these guys’ level of play.”According to one Bulls teammate, LaVine has been as mentally dialed in as he’s been the past few seasons, and at the same time emerged as a real leader.Leadership hasn’t always come naturally to LaVine. It was almost forced on him during the final years of Gar-Pax. But whether it was being around veterans like DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso the past few seasons or just reaching a point of maturity both on and off the court, the consensus throughout the locker room from LaVine’s teammates is he’s “that guy” with his voice and his actions.The win over the Hawks on Saturday reflected that.Overcoming an 18-point deficit, LaVine took what the game gave him, scoring 18 points, handing out seven assists, and playing the role of closer in the fourth. On top of that, he was frequently matched up with Trae Young on the defensive end and kept the Atlanta sharpshooter in check with a 6-of-16 shooting night.He played like a guy that really cared.Now, before anyone starts making LaVine out to be an altar boy, there’s the other side of this.Both LaVine and veteran Nikola Vucevic know that the Bulls are looking to move them, and it would likely be to a contender once there is a market shift come January and into the February trade deadline. They can help their own cause by playing the game the right way.That doesn’t mean either of them need to go out of their way to make sure the Bulls locker room is in a good place when they’re gone, however. Yet they have been putting the work in to make sure it is by all accounts.And all the while both LaVine and Vucevic know that once the team gets to the midway point of the season, rotations and minutes could change with the organization looking to keep that 2025 top 10 protected first-round draft pick out of San Antonio’s hands.“No, it’s not hard,” LaVine added when asked about keeping the right mindset. “It’s understanding. If you’re not understanding what you’re coming into then it’s hard. I have the right mindset right now of understanding what the game needs from me today … just try and do the right thing.”
ATLANTA – Zach LaVine has always been comfortable in his own skin.
That’s never been in question.
Being comfortable in his own standing with his team? Well, that’s where it’s gotten dicey.
Whether it’s been the Bulls letting him go to the market as a restricted free agent back in 2018, deciding if they wanted to offer him the max contract in the summer of ‘22, or making him a constant trade rumor for more than two years since, LaVine’s relationship with the Bulls is complicated, to say the least.
And now he’s entered the 2024-25 campaign knowing that when, and if, the Bulls get any sort of trade offer that makes sense for them, he’s gone.
Yet, LaVine has come to peace with all of it.
Even more impressive, the organization succeeding in whatever direction they want to go with him is still his top priority rather than playing with one foot out the door.
“I don’t think you ever lower expectations,” LaVine said. “You go into each game trying to win, regardless. I don’t care if you have the lowest expectations on the totem pole, we’re trying to win games, at least I am. I’m not here trying to throw no games. Been in Chicago for years, we’re not trying to lose games.
“But understanding the situation we’re in with the guys, we’re trying to develop dudes as well. You know, how can the veteran guys put their footprint into the game and help us win, but also help raise these guys’ level of play.”
According to one Bulls teammate, LaVine has been as mentally dialed in as he’s been the past few seasons, and at the same time emerged as a real leader.
Leadership hasn’t always come naturally to LaVine. It was almost forced on him during the final years of Gar-Pax. But whether it was being around veterans like DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso the past few seasons or just reaching a point of maturity both on and off the court, the consensus throughout the locker room from LaVine’s teammates is he’s “that guy” with his voice and his actions.
The win over the Hawks on Saturday reflected that.
Overcoming an 18-point deficit, LaVine took what the game gave him, scoring 18 points, handing out seven assists, and playing the role of closer in the fourth. On top of that, he was frequently matched up with Trae Young on the defensive end and kept the Atlanta sharpshooter in check with a 6-of-16 shooting night.
He played like a guy that really cared.
Now, before anyone starts making LaVine out to be an altar boy, there’s the other side of this.
Both LaVine and veteran Nikola Vucevic know that the Bulls are looking to move them, and it would likely be to a contender once there is a market shift come January and into the February trade deadline. They can help their own cause by playing the game the right way.
That doesn’t mean either of them need to go out of their way to make sure the Bulls locker room is in a good place when they’re gone, however. Yet they have been putting the work in to make sure it is by all accounts.
And all the while both LaVine and Vucevic know that once the team gets to the midway point of the season, rotations and minutes could change with the organization looking to keep that 2025 top 10 protected first-round draft pick out of San Antonio’s hands.
“No, it’s not hard,” LaVine added when asked about keeping the right mindset. “It’s understanding. If you’re not understanding what you’re coming into then it’s hard. I have the right mindset right now of understanding what the game needs from me today … just try and do the right thing.”
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