CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Before he was even asked a question at Bulls media day, guard Zach LaVine had plenty to say.
“I got it first,” LaVine said as a reporter started in with an initial question Monday at the Advocate Center.
LaVine then shared a straight-to-the-point opening statement that lasted nearly three minutes, emphasizing that he’s healthy, he’s excited to be at Bulls camp, he’s happy to fill any role needed and that he’s ready to move past the past drama he’s had with the organization. LaVine’s hope is to focus on each day amid his uncertain future.
LaVine’s name has been in trade speculation for years, and the rumors noticeably intensified in the aftermath of news breaking last November that he was open to a change of scenery via a trade out of Chicago. That deal didn’t come to fruition at the trade deadline in February, as LaVine’s value plummeted because of his hefty contract and his concerning health.
On Feb. 3, the Bulls announced that LaVine would undergo season-ending right foot surgery, which he’s fully recovered from now. In that press release, the Bulls revealed the decision was made by LaVine and his Klutch Sports Group agency rather than them. It was a window into the strained relationship between LaVine and the Bulls, a union that hasn’t erupted so much as it has slowly eroded due to on-court disappointment, the team shopping LaVine on the trade market in 2023 and a difference of opinion over how he’s used on the floor.
On Monday, LaVine shared his perspective and then hoped to put all of that in the rearview mirror.
“With everything that I learned, there’s times that you need to speak and there’s times you don’t,” he said.
“Whenever there’s something that needs to be said, it will come from Zach LaVine or my representation. There’s a lot of thoughts and rumors, opinions about me, about the organization – so just know, whenever it needs to come from me or them, you’ll know it will be from them. I think (agent) Rich (Paul) talked one time (to media over the summer) and this is my first time talking to you, so everything else, you can take with a grain of salt or it’s a false narrative or whatever it may be.
“Going forward, the best way to handle a lot of stuff is I’m in a great situation, a great head space. I’m fully healthy right now, which I don’t take for granted. Anything negative that will try to pin me (against) the organization, the rumors, drama, whatever it is, I’ll leave that in the past. I’m focusing a lot on this camp right now going forward on this team, helping, learning and just having a good time. I think that’s something that’s not talked about enough – when you have good energy, only give in to that. I don’t want to keep talking about the past or anything. Because there are a lot of things I can speak on, but there’s no reason to.”
The 29-year-old LaVine, who’s a two-time All-Star, stressed that his professionalism “won’t waver.” In a series of questions from reporters, he then continued to keep his focus on what’s ahead of him, not what’s behind him. He didn’t bite when asked if he took landing in trade rumors personally.
“I don’t speak on rumors,” he said. “I know I’m ready for camp, and I know I’m wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey. And I’m happy for that.”
Most pertinent to the immediate on-court product, LaVine seems willing to fill whatever role coach Billy Donovan asks of him on a team that has a lot of guard depth. At times in the past, the two haven’t seen eye-to-eye on how LaVine has been used.
“There isn’t a situation or a role that I haven’t been successful in,” LaVine said. “If it needs to be on the ball one day, off the ball, defending, rebounding, leadership, there isn’t a role I’m not comfortable with.”
Donovan visited LaVine in Los Angeles in the offseason, a meeting that – at least for now – seems to have gotten all parties on the same page.
Which is to say, the best way for LaVine to get traded is to play well in a drama-free environment, and the best way for the Bulls to find a deal to their liking is for LaVine to showcase his talent to the rest of the NBA in a drama-free environment.
“I’ve always appreciated my conversations with Zach just because they’ve always been open and honest,” Donovan said. “I think he’s worked hard at the relationship, and so have I for the time that we’ve been together.
“He’s always been great and receptive and open whenever we’ve communicated. So I appreciate that part of it. Like I said, anything that he and I have ever talked about, I’m sure there’s times in games he doesn’t agree with everything I do and sometimes decisions that he makes, I don’t agree. That happens, but in terms of the communication, that part has been great. I know where his heart is at. I think he knows where my heart’s at.”
Of course, the question hovering over this entire Bulls season is how much longer LaVine will be a part of the organization.
"As an organization, we're looking forward to seeing him in training camp," Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said of LaVine. "I'm sure he's here thinking, 'How can I help this team and this organization to win games?'"
Cody Westerlund is an editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.