CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- To dilute the many paths the Bulls could’ve taken this offseason to their purest form, they essentially had two ways to use their financial flexibility and resources.
They could’ve looked to fortify their roster as much as possible around star guard Zach LaVine. Or they could’ve made lower-profile additions and carved out a larger chunk of salary cap space to ink LaVine to a big contract extension before he’s set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2022.
The Bulls chose the first route, adding point guard Lonzo Ball, guard Alex Caruso, wing DeMar DeRozan and others as they overhauled their roster over the summer. Given the Bulls’ struggles in missing the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, most across the NBA agreed it was the prudent path to take, even if it brings risk in that LaVine will hit the open market as one of the best players available in the next free agency cycle.
Another individual who appreciated the Bulls’ approach was the 26-year-old LaVine himself as he comes off an All-Star season in which he averaged 27.4 points while shooting 50.9% overall and 41.9% on 3-pointers.
“This is the most excited I’ve been, especially with the talent of the team that we have here, the support they’ve given me, I’m extremely happy about that,” LaVine said Monday at the United Center as the Bulls held media day. “And I’m ready to hit the ground running and go out there and just get it going. There’s an excitement around the city, but there’s a bigger excitement around the team as well because we know we can do something.”
LaVine will make $19.5 million in 2021-’22, the final season of a four-year deal that he signed back in 2018. He’ll be eligible to sign a five-year deal with the Bulls in the 2022 offseason worth up to $200 million-plus, depending exactly where the salary cap figures land.
For his part, Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas knows what LaVine means to the organization.
“The one thing that we know is that we’re committed to Zach,” Karnisovas said. “We want him to be in Chicago for a very long time. I think the trade deadline and the free agency moves kind of proved that. He has a great relationship with Billy (Donovan), a good relationship with me. I can’t wait to see how the players that we added to the team are going to work together and jell. That’s about it – we feel really good about Zach and about this season.”
Those were comments that LaVine appreciated hearing.
“It means a lot hearing that from them,” LaVine said. “I think you guys know I’m a team-first guy, I’m excited with all the moves that were made and really looking forward to getting into camp and getting to know these guys and getting the season started because we all have a lot to prove. And even from a team point, I’m excited to really get this season started, but that means a lot from them.”
The Bulls also conferred with LaVine before making their key moves, he said.
“They allowed me to have some type of input," LaVine said. "I was just happy that they were allowed to talk to me about some of (the moves), but at the end of the day that’s their decision. I’m a basketball player, and I’m here to come in and help the team win games. But they had some communication with me and that shows a lot of trust, and I appreciated that from them."
LaVine has longed maintained the stance that he’ll get “what I deserve” in his next contract. Past that, he didn’t seem too worked up about the situation, proclaiming his focus is now on the court with the offseason behind the team. His future in Chicago will be decided next summer – and how the Bulls fare in the upcoming season will play a role in what happens.
“My plan is to tomorrow get ready for training camp, get ready for the season and try and help these guys win just like everybody else,” LaVine said. “I’m not worried about my contract right now. That will be a point and time in the future, and my agent I will sit down and discuss it, go from there, but right now it’s about the Bulls and getting better tomorrow.
"I just want to come in and win, man. I think individual accolades come along with winning. Obviously we all have different things we all want to set for ourselves individually, but my main thing is to come in here and help the team win and let everything else set the course for where it is, cause winning will take care of everything, so I want to do my part."
LaVine also brushed aside a question about feeling pressure in a contract year by putting his situation in the perspective of life instead of basketball.
“Nah man, we have pressure every game,” he said. “Pressure for us isn’t going out there and playing basketball. Pressure is when a mom has to wake up and supply for her kids, so basketball isn’t that much pressure.”
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.