Zach LaVine's wishes could force Bulls to rethink approach

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly been searching for a Zach LaVine trade over the past 12 months. The two-time All-Star is in the third year of a five-year $215 million contract. He is being paid like a top-15 player but has rarely produced at that level. As such, LaVine is a major roadblock to a complete roster rebuild in Chicago.

Unfortunately for the Bulls, LaVine's contract is likely to discourage teams from trading for him. The new luxury tax penalties make it difficult to negotiate overpriced contracts, making LaVine's deal look like an albatross. 

However, LaVine's recent level of play may cause the front office to change their approach. The 29-year-old is currently averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per night, shooting 45.1% from three-point range and 51.3% from the field. Interestingly, Jake Fischer reported that LaVine would prefer to remain with the Bulls moving forward.

"In LaVine's case, sources say, he has not been pushing to be moved," Fischer reported on Friday. "Yet that, to be clear, won't necessarily insulate LaVine from being dealt if an offer Chicago likes surfaces in the next 13 days."

Considering the level of production Chicago is getting out of LaVine, it may be wise to consider their options. Right now, the franchise has limited assets to facilitate a rebuild. It doesn't have an array of future draft picks, and outside of Josh Giddey, they're short on young high-potential talent, too. 

LaVine's production is good enough to keep the franchise competitive over the next few years. Adding some veteran pieces around him and retooling the roster with LaVine as the spearhead could be a logical pivot. It would allow the Bulls to challenge for the playoffs over the next few seasons while stockpiling assets in other moves. They could also develop younger talent while allowing LaVine to eat a high usage rate as his contract winds down.

That way, the Bulls are chasing available cap space to make a splash in future free agency rather than going through the draft and committing five to six years to rebuilding the rotation. LaVine is playing at a high right now, so there's reason to believe he can thrive in a bigger role. 

However, if the front office is dead set on rebuilding the roster, LaVine's value might never be higher. Whether it can finally find a trade partner remains to be seen, but at least now, it has another route available to it, and that's an unexpected win for the front office.