Zach LaVine on impending free agency: 'We'll let the chips fall'

Zach LaVine had already established himself as a star before this season, but this year has been his first as a real leader of a winning team. And pretty soon, it'll be time for him to be paid like one.

LaVine spoke to Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill about his impending free agency over All-Star Weekend, where he's set to compete in both the three-point contest and the All-Star Game. LaVine, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, kept his cards close to his chest.

“Free agency is gonna be a big milestone for me,” LaVine said. “It's my first time going into it really being [an] unrestricted free agent. I dealt with it being restricted before so it's a whole new experience."

“I'm excited for the season with the Bulls. But you know, moving forward, it's gonna be a whole new experience for me.”

LaVine will be eligible for a supermax contract extension if he can make an All-NBA team this season, something that is certainly attainable given his current level of play. A supermax contract would allow the Bulls to offer him significantly more money than any other team.

“I think we all get what we deserve at the level we play at, for our team and around the league. I think I stack up with everybody at that level,” LaVine said. “We’ll let the chips fall. Is the [max] the goal? I don’t know if it’s the goal, but I should be getting what I deserve. I’ll let them tell me what that is and we’ll go from there.”

Entering the All-Star Break, LaVine held averages of 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. His scoring numbers have dipped a bit, but that is likely due to the addition of All-Star starter DeMar DeRozan. 

Together, LaVine and DeRozan have the Bulls tied for first in the Eastern Conference at 38-21.