Bulls will struggle to shed Zach LaVine this summer

Zach LaVine's time with the Chicago Bulls is all but over. They have been trying to find a willing trade partner for him since before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. 

Dangling Alex Caruso as a potential makeweight in any trade was their best bet of getting a deal over the line. That option disappeared when the Bulls sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in return for Josh Giddey.

As such, the Bulls will likely struggle to find a team willing to absorb LaVine and his $215M contract, which has three years remaining, the final year being a player option.

"League sources say Philadelphia continues to have little interest in LaVine and I have likewise been advised to dismiss Utah's reported interest," NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Saturday. "The Bulls, remember, had trouble generating a market for LaVine when they could have attached Caruso to trade constructions. That option, obviously, no longer exists."

LaVine struggled with a foot injury this season, making just 25 appearances for the Bulls. His injury history and his over-priced contract are two primary reasons why teams are likely reluctant to strike a deal for the ball-dominant scorer. 

LaVine would be an ideal second or third star on a contender. Unfortunately, he's being paid like he's one of the best players in the NBA, and that's the primary issue for Chicago.

Somewhere around the NBA, there will likely be a front office that believes it can get the best out of LaVine. It may see his contract as a potential trade chip for the future, especially if it can help him increase his trade value on the back of some stellar performances. 

However, the Bulls must accept that any potential return will likely fall short of their expectations.

It's unlikely that Chicago will get a package of young prospects, draft picks and salary filler for LaVine. His market isn't strong enough for that sort of deal. Instead, the Bulls may have to eat some bad contracts and accept mid-level draft picks to get the deal over the line. 

Chicago is likely entering a rebuild. It needs LaVine's contract off the books to add flexibility moving forward. Unfortunately for the Bulls, they may find that the trade market for LaVine remains dry. As such, we may not see Chicago find a willing trade partner until closer to the 2025 trade deadline or even next summer.