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

[R3AL1TY]

I'm going to predict that Lavine will become the new Niko. People here will either love him or hate him. No in-between. I can see it now. He'll go on several hot streaks next season and folks will say, "trade him while his value is high!".

But I agree with the gist of the original post. Internal improvement plays a role in rebuilding. You have to see which players are showing growth or which players need more playing time to know who is worth keeping. People just have to realize this team may likely remain bad, and it may take more time for player development, good draft picks, and key FA signings before this team become a real threat.

[BR0D1E86]

So many of you will look foolish, The way you talk about lavine is despicable. Lavine absolutely has the highest ceiling on the team

you can pretend it's lauri all you want

That’s super. I agree he’s got a decently high ceiling. That said, he’s yet to elevate his floor to being a positive contributor in 4 (granted the last was returning from injury) seasons.

[holv03]

I feel like this up coming season Lavine will break out and become an even better player. I could see Lauri, Dunn and Lavine become a better unit. If these guys develop we could even be talking playoffs. Lauri is looking like a beast.

[HoopsterJones]

We have yet to see Lavine at full strength and with full offseason of working out and focusing on improving his game as a Bull. He’s most likely back. I’d be shocked if he isn’t.

[Houston_Bulls]

1st let me say wiggins has ALWAYS been overrated. He has athletic ability/physical tools but low motor,no play making ability,no handles,no dog in him nothing. Another prospect that was all hype I was saying years ago embiid looked better than wiggins when they were at kansas

As far as the bolded,I disagree the ability to get your own shot is never overrated. Systems and specific plays aren't gonna always work.You need players who can isolate and get to the line or create offense on their own.

As far as the efficiency goes

Lavine averaged 14 ppg shot 45% fg 12 fga and 39% 3's(4 attempts) in 28 mins his 2nd year

Lavine averaged 19 ppg shot 46% fg 15 fga 39% 3's(7 attempts) in 37 mins his 3rd year

Rookie year and last year returning from an acl injury were the only times he wasn't efficient.Bulls fans are way too hard on lavine and I think outside the 24 games he played for the bulls a lot of fans haven't really watched him. They just check the advanced stats

In Lavine's third year he had .82 WS/48. I don't really understand advanced stats, but that indicates he was a slightly below average starter in his first year. If you dive into his conventional stats he scored a lot of points that year on average efficiency, he didn't get to the line much and he didn't feast in the paint like other elite guards.

Elite players know how to get themselves easy buckets. Guys like Dwayne Wade are always cutting off the ball, I never see Lavine do that. Every shot he takes seems to be off the dribble.

Being effective without the ball in your hands is more important than being able to get your own shot. For one, off-ball scoring tends to be more efficient. Two, it takes pressure off your teammates. Three, off ball scoring doesn't require as much energy. Earlier this week, I played some two on two basketball with a teammate who couldn't play basketball or speak English. I had to try and create my own shot on every possession, by the end of the game I felt like I had just run the Boston marathon.

There are things about Lavine's game I like. I like that he can run the pick and roll, and that he can pass a little. I like that he has a good three point shot. I like that he's a decent rebounder for a guard. I don't like his inability to cut off the ball, or find himself easy shots. I don't like his defense or focus.

I'm all for keeping Lavine around at the right price, but not if it costs us the ability to bring in other players.

[Taikuri]

How good Lavine turns out to be is one of the biggest factors in whether or not this rebuild is going to be a success. If he does come back this year and gets back to being a guy who can average around 18 per game and shoot 3's at near 40%, and be somewhat efficient, and be at least decent on defense, it obviously will be huge in terms of filling the sg spot for the next 5 years or so.

If he either leaves in free agency, or comes back and doesn't perform any better than he did last year, it sets us back by one starter.

I've felt for a long time that LaVine's most likely best case scenario is to be a Jamal Crawford-esque 6th man. He has the athleticism to be more than that, but I just don't see a star when I watch him play.

Would love to sign him for 12-15mil for 2-3 years and have him as the 6th man. Fans who don't like him much like me could grow to like him with that kind of cap hit and in that kind of role.

[RememberLu]

there isnt one player on the roster with a higher ceiling than zach lavine

true

[gmoney2]

History repeats itself—bulls offer zach 12-13 mil per over 4 and Zach bets on himself just like butler and plays out his final year; Zach averages 20pts 5.8 rbs and 3.3 assists just like Butler did and bulls offer him a max contract like butler w player option in 3 yrs; bulls trade him in 2nd year bc they don’t want to pay super max for 2 young prospects (one coming off a season ending injury) and draft pick swap; rinse wash repeat woohoo! Go bulls!

[ChicagoStrong]

History repeats itself—bulls offer zach 12-13 mil per over 4 and Zach bets on himself just like butler and plays out his final year; Zach averages 20pts 5.8 rbs and 3.3 assists just like Butler did and bulls offer him a max contract like butler w player option in 3 yrs; bulls trade him in 2nd year bc they don’t want to pay super max for 2 young prospects (one coming off a season ending injury) and draft pick swap; rinse wash repeat woohoo! Go bulls!

I'm know this will not be happening.

[the ultimates]

History repeats itself—bulls offer zach 12-13 mil per over 4 and Zach bets on himself just like butler and plays out his final year; Zach averages 20pts 5.8 rbs and 3.3 assists just like Butler did and bulls offer him a max contract like butler w player option in 3 yrs; bulls trade him in 2nd year bc they don’t want to pay super max for 2 young prospects (one coming off a season ending injury) and draft pick swap; rinse wash repeat woohoo! Go bulls!

Good thing Lavine isn't eligible for a supermax deal since he was already traded but never let facts get in the way of being mad for no reason.

[mrlancers]

I stand by my prediction of 3 years with a ballpark estimate between 45 and 50 million dollars. Preferably front-loaded so when 2020 rolls around, the contract will be depreciating so it opens up a couple extra million to spend in FA.

[MisterRoy]

I feel like this up coming season Lavine will break out and become an even better player. I could see Lauri, Dunn and Lavine become a better unit. If these guys develop we could even be talking playoffs. Lauri is looking like a beast.

I am on this Bandwagon. I want to believe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[RebuildaBulls]

Bulls are actually a in good spot because even if he demanded it, not many teams can max him, if any.

Im on the fence with him, he doesnt really fit well with the team concept but wouldnt mind seeing a little more since last season was just a test run for his knee

[JimmyJammer]

A 1+1 deal is good for both sides.

A 1+1 deal is not good for anyone. First of all, if he has a great year next year, that puts him back on the open market next summer, and the organization will have to compete with other suitors for his services. Second of all, Zach would probably prefer the guaranteed long-term contract because it offers some financial stability.

[keloms]

A 1+1 deal is good for both sides.

No, it's not. A 1 yr max puts him at a $27 million cap hold next year which is half their likely space.

[Susan]

History repeats itself—bulls offer zach 12-13 mil per over 4 and Zach bets on himself just like butler and plays out his final year; Zach averages 20pts 5.8 rbs and 3.3 assists just like Butler did and bulls offer him a max contract like butler w player option in 3 yrs; bulls trade him in 2nd year bc they don’t want to pay super max for 2 young prospects (one coming off a season ending injury) and draft pick swap; rinse wash repeat woohoo! Go bulls!

Watch on YouTube

[fleet]

As one on record for not liking his game much, last season was terrible. Giving life to that outlook. Yet, last year was post ACL rehab year 1. He seemed to not be bothered by the usual adjustment period in year 1 physically, yet we should probably extend him a mulligan into year 2. In no way should the Bulls offer him anything significant until he proves something, and this year is when the real evaluation starts.

[rtblues]

Don't really care about pre-injury stats and, won't excuse last year completely,
It's the EYE-TEST for me, I just don't like his game. Pounds the ball, hunts shots,
and doesn't play much or very good defense. Those are just a sampling.

Lebron James made a comment recently about wanting to play with SMART players.
He said a mouthful! That's my basic problem with Lavine, I don't think his b-ball IQ is very high,
But really, mostly it's that he doesn't really affect WINNING.

We'll see what kind of, if any, offers are extended to Lavine. I remember once upon a time when a
post 2 ACL surgeries and a meniscus surgery D-Rose believed that he'd still get a max contract. Or Carlos Boozer going from 15M per from Bulls to 2M per in L.A. GMs are not blind or stupid, mostly, and they will determine his worth, not him. And the Bulls? All
they have to do sit back and wait. They hold ALL of the cards here.

In the extreme instance of some team actually offering him a big, long-term deal, I'd say see ya Zach and certainly
not match.

[Repeat 3-peat]

A 1+1 deal is good for both sides.

A 1+1 deal is not good for anyone. First of all, if he has a great year next year, that puts him back on the open market next summer, and the organization will have to compete with other suitors for his services. Second of all, Zach would probably prefer the guaranteed long-term contract because it offers some financial stability.

I've talked about the 1+1 deal with a team option for year two. Basically a handshake agreement if LaVine proves worthy, he'll get the 2nd year picked up then an long term extension will follow. I believe Zach is young enough to bet on himself.

LaVine gets to prove his worth, and the FO makes sure they don't handicap themselves to a long term contract if things don't work out.

[blicka]

1st let me say wiggins has ALWAYS been overrated. He has athletic ability/physical tools but low motor,no play making ability,no handles,no dog in him nothing. Another prospect that was all hype I was saying years ago embiid looked better than wiggins when they were at kansas

As far as the bolded,I disagree the ability to get your own shot is never overrated. Systems and specific plays aren't gonna always work.You need players who can isolate and get to the line or create offense on their own.

As far as the efficiency goes

Lavine averaged 14 ppg shot 45% fg 12 fga and 39% 3's(4 attempts) in 28 mins his 2nd year

Lavine averaged 19 ppg shot 46% fg 15 fga 39% 3's(7 attempts) in 37 mins his 3rd year

Rookie year and last year returning from an acl injury were the only times he wasn't efficient.Bulls fans are way too hard on lavine and I think outside the 24 games he played for the bulls a lot of fans haven't really watched him. They just check the advanced stats

In Lavine's third year he had .82 WS/48. I don't really understand advanced stats, but that indicates he was a slightly below average starter in his first year. If you dive into his conventional stats he scored a lot of points that year on average efficiency, he didn't get to the line much and he didn't feast in the paint like other elite guards.

Elite players know how to get themselves easy buckets. Guys like Dwayne Wade are always cutting off the ball, I never see Lavine do that. Every shot he takes seems to be off the dribble.

Being effective without the ball in your hands is more important than being able to get your own shot. For one, off-ball scoring tends to be more efficient. Two, it takes pressure off your teammates. Three, off ball scoring doesn't require as much energy. Earlier this week, I played some two on two basketball with a teammate who couldn't play basketball or speak English. I had to try and create my own shot on every possession, by the end of the game I felt like I had just run the Boston marathon.

There are things about Lavine's game I like. I like that he can run the pick and roll, and that he can pass a little. I like that he has a good three point shot. I like that he's a decent rebounder for a guard. I don't like his inability to cut off the ball, or find himself easy shots. I don't like his defense or focus.

I'm all for keeping Lavine around at the right price, but not if it costs us the ability to bring in other players.

Devin booker win share .63 in his 3rd year and booker is -2.5 dpm for his career. He is considered just as bad a defender as zach lavine

with a much higher usage rate,more fga's more mins booker is .3 higher opm than lavine. Booker is considered a franchise cornerstone for phoenix and will get a 140 million extension this fall.

Let anyone tell it booker is one of the best young players in the nba .Advanced stats arent the end all be all for judging a player especially on bad teams that stay in the lottery.Booker is about to get a contract that value wise won't make sense and may never will ,and lavine is equally as good based off several ppp offensive stats.

Guarantee you won't see any suns fans talking about booker the way bulls fans talk about lavine.