Wiretap: Bulls Hope To Re-Sign Zach LaVine At $14M-$16M

[JimmyJammer]

So is Zach an entitled jerk behind the scenes? Is that why the support of a talented kid JUST coming off of a significant injury is wavering?

Was he really being judged on his play in such a short stint while not even at 100%?
Was he really being judged in games we did not even want to win?

The only thing that makes sense is if his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way.

I think I eluded to this a few weeks ago despite their being zero evidence to this. Sometimes my instinct is on point.

Nope, apparently he has not been training at the Advocate Center under the supervision of the Bulls training staff, as preferred and advised by management. Instead, he is supposedly in Los Angeles training with his father. Well, at least that is what Pax said two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Lauri has been out there every single day to work on his craft. This is the kind of commitment that the Bulls management like. Otherwise, I have not heard anything else bothersome about LaVine.

[logical_art]

This would also make the Hutchison pick better. I really think his future is at 2 guard, but I'm a believer in big wings.

[TheFinishSniper]

This would also make the Hutchison pick better. I really think his future is at 2 guard, but I'm a believer in big wings.

Hutchison looks to me big enough to be full 3 in NBA. There are only few guys in NBA bigger at that spot and they are all unicorns.

[Proven_Winner]

So is Zach an entitled jerk behind the scenes? Is that why the support of a talented kid JUST coming off of a significant injury is wavering?

Was he really being judged on his play in such a short stint while not even at 100%?
Was he really being judged in games we did not even want to win?

The only thing that makes sense is if his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way.

I think I eluded to this a few weeks ago despite their being zero evidence to this. Sometimes my instinct is on point.

Nope, apparently he has not been training at the Advocate Center under the supervision of the Bulls training staff, as preferred and advised by management. Instead, he is supposedly in Los Angeles training with his father. Well, at least that is what Pax said two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Lauri has been out there every single day to work on his craft. This is the kind of commitment that the Bulls management like. Otherwise, I have not heard anything else bothersome about LaVine.

There trying to build a culture where everyone is consistently holding each other accountable and build chemistry. Lavine should get a pass though since LA is his home and he’s a known work horse so you know he isn’t slacking. Also we never heard reports like this when Taj, Noah, Jimmy, and Rose use to workout in LA instead of advocate.

[TheFinishSniper]

There trying to build a culture where everyone is consistently holding each other accountable and build chemistry. Lavine should get a pass though since LA is his home and he’s a known work horse so you know he isn’t slacking. Also we never heard reports like this when Taj, Noah, Jimmy, and Rose use to workout in LA instead of advocate.

Because during that time Advocate wasnt done. It opened in 2014. Bulls want their guys to me in their new facility so they dont need to go into LA or wherever to train. So they can carefully monitor their work ethic and actuall progress by both coaching staff and nutritionist. They also want them there so actual chemistry between players during practices improves. So there is less headaches when we hit summer camp.

Slacking or not, Bulls can't offer Lavine a contract if they dont know did he took steps to improve. It's not just does he train or not, it's actually does he train right way and work on things he isnt good at. If there is one thing I can't fault front office is this one.

Lavine is essentially in LA because he wants to be in LA. There is no magic water or food or better courts there than in Advocate.

[sco]

Am I wrong to think that it is customary for guys not to train at team facilities during FA negotiations? What if he hurts himself. It would be bad enough, but the team would know it too.

[kodo]

So is Zach an entitled jerk behind the scenes? Is that why the support of a talented kid JUST coming off of a significant injury is wavering?

Was he really being judged on his play in such a short stint while not even at 100%?
Was he really being judged in games we did not even want to win?

The only thing that makes sense is if his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way.

I think I eluded to this a few weeks ago despite their being zero evidence to this. Sometimes my instinct is on point.

Nope, apparently he has not been training at the Advocate Center under the supervision of the Bulls training staff, as preferred and advised by management. Instead, he is supposedly in Los Angeles training with his father. Well, at least that is what Pax said two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Lauri has been out there every single day to work on his craft. This is the kind of commitment that the Bulls management like. Otherwise, I have not heard anything else bothersome about LaVine.

Bulls are the ones in the wrong here.

No decent player trains with team coaches vs professional trainers in the early summer offseason.

Butler didn't make his huge improvement until he sought professional trainers over just staying w/ the Bulls.
Lebron, Wade, Westbrook + Rose's famous summers, Durant; they all work w/ the best trainers in the world...not assistant coaches.

The last good player I remember that trained w/ the Bulls in the summers was Luol.

[weneeda2guard]

cant say i disagree here, if a team gives him 25 mill per yer, let him go and be with them. just not worth it at this point.

i dont think any team will do that though, very few teams with a ton of money, and dont want to cap out for a player of lavine caliber. he might get a decent offer, but we will match a decent offer.

[TeamMan]

…and Yesssss!!!!

Like this years draft....

...this has NOTHING to with the LUXURY TAX!!!!

After all.....

The Bulls are "...way under the cap...".

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Good to know the ‘hot takes’ aren’t confined to just the Carter thread.

[thedarkstark]

Nice return for Butler...

Lauri looks like he's going to be better than Butler, so yeah I'd say it's a pretty good return. As a 19 year old rookie Lauri put up 15/8 in 29 minutes. As a 24 year old 3 year NBA vet Butler put up 13/5 in 39mpg.

Also Dunn who was seen as a throwaway piece in the deal has been much much better than advertised. He might not be our long term answer at PG, but the kid can play.

So even if we let Lavine walk, we still won that trade.

[patagonia]

So is Zach an entitled jerk behind the scenes? Is that why the support of a talented kid JUST coming off of a significant injury is wavering?

Was he really being judged on his play in such a short stint while not even at 100%?
Was he really being judged in games we did not even want to win?

The only thing that makes sense is if his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way.

I think I eluded to this a few weeks ago despite their being zero evidence to this. Sometimes my instinct is on point.

Nope, apparently he has not been training at the Advocate Center under the supervision of the Bulls training staff, as preferred and advised by management. Instead, he is supposedly in Los Angeles training with his father. Well, at least that is what Pax said two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Lauri has been out there every single day to work on his craft. This is the kind of commitment that the Bulls management like. Otherwise, I have not heard anything else bothersome about LaVine.

Rose and Jimmy trained in LA every year and it didn't stop them from getting max deals.

[Hangtime84]

So is Zach an entitled jerk behind the scenes? Is that why the support of a talented kid JUST coming off of a significant injury is wavering?

Was he really being judged on his play in such a short stint while not even at 100%?
Was he really being judged in games we did not even want to win?

The only thing that makes sense is if his personality has rubbed some people the wrong way.

I think I eluded to this a few weeks ago despite their being zero evidence to this. Sometimes my instinct is on point.

Nope, apparently he has not been training at the Advocate Center under the supervision of the Bulls training staff, as preferred and advised by management. Instead, he is supposedly in Los Angeles training with his father. Well, at least that is what Pax said two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Lauri has been out there every single day to work on his craft. This is the kind of commitment that the Bulls management like. Otherwise, I have not heard anything else bothersome about LaVine.

Bulls are the ones in the wrong here.

No decent player trains with team coaches vs professional trainers in the early summer offseason.

Butler didn't make his huge improvement until he sought professional trainers over just staying w/ the Bulls.
Lebron, Wade, Westbrook + Rose's famous summers, Durant; they all work w/ the best trainers in the world...not assistant coaches.

The last good player I remember that trained w/ the Bulls in the summers was Luol.

Actually Niko and Bobby Portis.

[The Evidence]

Nothing better than the vague and cryptic leak that the “Bulls are upset with Player X because he isn’t training at the Berto/Advocate Center during the summer”

[Truebiscuit]

Yeah this is kind of laughable. I've listened to every Paxson and Forman interview post-draft and nothing they have said even hints at being unhappy with or not wanting LaVine back. Paxson even went so far as to say he has no idea why suddenly LaVine seems to be out of favor with the team. He said the goal last year was to just get him playing basketball again and that he knows how difficult it is to return from a serious injury like Zach had.

In exit interviews he told players he expects them to come back in great shape because this team is going to run. He said coaches are dissecting offensive and defensive schemes with an emphasis offensively on playing with pace.

[TheFinishSniper]

Actually Niko and Bobby Portis.

Niko didnt train in Advocate whole summer either. That was one of reasons why Portis even punched him. Because Niko on purpose avoided being there whole summer as everyone else. Which didnt sit well with Bobby because he didnt train there, still got a contract and spot ahead of him. Likely one of reasons why Niko signed deal so late. Bulls couldnt track his progress till almost September and training camp.

But Niko did stay right after season ended in Advocate for a month and half if I remember right.

[blicka]

how can anyone hate this kid? he's been working out since the season ended.

Yes he needs to improve his bball iq,play within the system and improve the defensive awareness.Work ethics like this don't grow on trees



payne been putting in work too

[johnnyvann840]

Am I wrong to think that it is customary for guys not to train at team facilities during FA negotiations? What if he hurts himself. It would be bad enough, but the team would know it too.

This is the problem. The Bulls are in a position where they have to make a decision whether or not to pay TENS of MILLIONS of dollars for a player. You would think they want that player working out where they can see him and monitor him and KNOW if his prior injury is affecting him. Or, know if he gets hurt.

[bigworld2017]

Lavine is essentially in LA because he wants to be in LA. There is no magic water or food or better courts there than in Advocate.

But, the sun actually comes out in Los Angeles. This year at least Chicago is gloomier than Seattle. I was back in Chicago a few weeks ago. It rained 5 out of the 6 days I was there. Depressing.

[Stratmaster]

IMO the Bulls will offer what they think he is worth less a small amount and then let the market dictate the price. It is the only approach that makes sense to me.

I don't think there's going to be any outrageous offers out there with the cap space situation in the league right now. If something comes out of left field, then they will have a decision to make.

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