The 27-year-old became a star in Chicago. He made two All-Star teams, made his first playoff experience, and has been an absolute bucket in a Bulls uniform.
The most logical outcome is that LaVine returns to the Bulls, but nothing is impossible. With that in mind, here are the top three destinations that would be best for LaVine (and the team) this summer.
Okay, so this is by far the weirdest option of the three listed here, but it’s also severely underrated. There aren’t a ton of teams projected to have cap space this summer, but the Indiana Pacers will.
With Tyrese Haliburton at the helm, the Pacers showed some flashes toward the end of last season. Pairing him with an explosive offensive-minded shooting guard would make for an extremely fun backcourt.
Simultaneously, adding LaVine to the roster would hurt Indiana’s chances of landing a top draft pick next season. But with Rick Carlisle leading the way, throwing LaVine into the mix could thrust the Pacers toward playoff contention.
They are well-coached, have a star point guard running the offense, and with Myles Turner potentially returning, they have solid rim protection as well. LaVine to the Pacers is extremely unlikely, but it would be super fun to watch.
Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler during the 2017 NBA Draft. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2646262-jimmy-butler-traded-to-timberwolves-for-zach-lavine-kris-dunn-no-7-pick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The deal</a> also sent the seventh-overall pick (Lauri Markkanen) and Kris Dunn to Chicago, meaning LaVine is the last piece remaining.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old became a star in Chicago. He made two All-Star teams, made his first playoff experience, and has been an absolute bucket in a Bulls uniform.</p>
<p>However, during his exit interview this season, LaVine <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-zach-lavine-free-agency-20220429-iffbrfc75re4xilfmjo25ti35i-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressed uncertainty</a> regarding his future in Chicago. In turn, there have been a ton of rumors as to where he could land this offseason.</p>
<p>The most logical outcome is that LaVine returns to the Bulls, but nothing is impossible. With that in mind, here are the top three destinations that would be best for LaVine (and the team) this summer.</p>
<h2>Top 3 landing spots for Zach LaVine this offseason: 3. Indiana Pacers</h2>
<p>Okay, so this is by far the weirdest option of the three listed here, but it’s also severely underrated. There aren’t a ton of teams projected to have cap space this summer, but the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacers will.</p>
<p>With Tyrese Haliburton at the helm, the Pacers showed some flashes toward the end of last season. Pairing him with an explosive offensive-minded shooting guard would make for an extremely fun backcourt.</p>
<p>Simultaneously, adding LaVine to the roster would hurt Indiana’s chances of landing a top draft pick next season. But with Rick Carlisle leading the way, throwing LaVine into the mix could thrust the Pacers toward playoff contention.</p>
<p>They are well-coached, have a star point guard running the offense, and with Myles Turner potentially returning, they have solid rim protection as well. LaVine to the Pacers is extremely unlikely, but it would be super fun to watch.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Landing Spot #2 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-445017" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1138,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1356883357.jpeg" alt="Zach LaVine" width="1600" height="1138" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1356883357.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1356883357-768x546.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 02: Zach LaVine #8 and DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls celebrate the win as Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the game at Madison Square Garden on December 02, 2021 in New York City. The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 199-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 3 landing spots for Zach LaVine this offseason: 2. Chicago Bulls</h2>
<p>As boring as it may sound, the Chicago Bulls are still a top destination for Zach LaVine this summer. During his exit interview, he may have sounded non-committal, but the Bulls still have the best shot at signing him.</p>
<p>Chicago enjoyed more success this year than they have since Jimmy Butler left, and out of all the teams with enough money to sign him, they’re probably the most likely to make the playoffs.</p>
<p>If LaVine wants to win, re-signing with the Bulls is probably his best choice. They’ve put together a solid team, and while they may not be title contenders now, they could make some moves to jump into that conversation.</p>
<p>With DeMar DeRozan and Nikola VUcevic coming back and Lonzo Ball set to return from injury, the Bulls just have a very talented core. Plus, they could trade Patrick Williams for another piece if they really wanted to.</p>
<p>LaVine is a crucial part of that core, and if the Bulls want to run it back, they could lob him more money than any other team. IF LaVine just wants to secure the bag, Chicago is the place to go.</p>
<p>It was weird to hear LaVine be so hesitant in his exit interview, considering how well Chicago’s season went. In all likelihood, he probably just wanted to keep his options open.</p>
<p>A few months from now, we’ll all probably be talking about how LaVine re-signed with the Bulls, and rightfully so. He fits well with their current core, and it would be a smart move to re-sign.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Landing Spot #3 </a>
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<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2017/07/13965522.jpeg">
San Antonio</a> Spurs would be the most fun (and maybe the best).</p>
<p>Dejounte Murray <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://airalamo.com/posts/san-antonio-spurs-dejounte-murray-openly-recruits-zach-lavine-on-twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">already began the recruiting process</a> when he posted a (now deleted) tweet that pictured LaVine in a Spurs jersey. The pair are long-time friends, as they both grew up in Washington.</p>
<p>San Antonio has built up a great young core that managed to make an appearance in the Play-In Tournament this season. Murray even made his first All-Star Game.</p>
<p>With Murray, Keldon Johnson, Jakob Poeltl, and others, the Spurs are a young team on the rise. Adding LaVine to that core could push them over the hump and make them a legitimate playoff team.</p>
<p>As great as Murray is, the Spurs are lacking a go-to scorer. Johnson has shown flashes, as have Murray and Devin Vassell (at times), but LaVine would give them a legitimate 25-point per game scorer.</p>
<p>The Spurs are a solid defensive team led by one of the greatest coaches of all time, Gregg Popovich. LaVine’s offense would help round out their roster.</p>
<p>They have enough cap space to make a move happen, so it would just be up to LaVine whether he wants to leave Chicago. But if he does, the Spurs would be an amazing choice.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 trade targets for the Mavericks to help Luka Doncic" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/" data-call-to-action="Next"
> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/14/landing-spots-zach-lavine/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 trade targets for the Mavericks to help Luka Doncic </a> </div>
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