Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine heading into free agency “open-minded”

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 16: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball upcourt during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bulls just got displaced by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. While the Bulls did manage to take a game from the Bucks, it was still a sour way to end such a fun season.

For the first time in what felt like forever, the Bulls were relevant. They started off the year hot, and despite a poor end to the season, the fact that they made the playoffs showed progress within itself.

However, they now face a terrifying offseason, as one of their top players is set to be a free agent – Zach LaVine. Not only that, but his latest statement just put fear in the hearts of Bulls fans everywhere.

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine heading into free agency “open-minded”

While talking with reporters, LaVine said that free agency will be a “big decision” for him to make, and while he’s enjoyed his time in Chicago, he wants to go into things with an open mind.

LaVine will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not only that, but in a relatively weak free-agency class, LaVine is set to be by far the best player available on the board.

That being said, only five teams project to have even close to enough cap space to sign the two-time All-Star – the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers.

Even then, those five teams would likely have to make more moves in order to have enough room. They’re just the only teams around the league to have any cap space in general.

Chicago would obviously be able to sign LaVine as well, as they would be able to sign him to a massive extension. Unfortunately for them, one of the other teams who projects to be a threat has already made a move at LaVine.

In a now-deleted tweet, Spurs star Dejounte Murray posted an image of LaVine in a San Antonio jersey with the caption “Hmmmmm👀👀👀.”

Murray will likely get fined for the incident, but it definitely leaves us all wondering – is this something the two have discussed before? They are obviously friends, with Murray even posting a picture of them together at 2022 All-Star Weekend.

As one could imply by the caption, both are from the Seattle area, with Murray actually hailing from Seattle, and LaVine being from Renton, Washington, a town just outside of the capital city.

The Northwest has produced tons of NBA talent, and the people who come from there are often very close. Perfect examples of this are Isaiah Thomas, Jamal Crawford, and Brandon Roy.

Whether or not LaVine will leave the Bulls is yet to be seen, but the fact that Murray is already recruiting him means there’s a chance. And that alone should terrify Bulls fans everywhere.