Zach LaVine is slated to be one of the most interesting NBA free agents hitting the market this summer. On the one hand, he’s coming off his first-ever playoff appearance with the Chicago Bulls, a series in which they underperformed due to matchup and injuries.
For a brief period of time, the Bulls looked like they were serious contenders led by the scoring duo of LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Built around an unconventional defense, Chicago relied on the perimeter defense of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso to disrupt opponents at the point of attack and force turnovers.
With those two wings suffering through injuries all year and a lack of depth and size in the rest of the roster, the Bulls quickly fell apart down the stretch. They continued to play shorthanded in their first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, a bad matchup for them to begin with even at full strength.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and company took full advantage of Chicago’s lack of an interior presence and strong defenders, booting the Bulls out of the postseason in five quick games.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 4 Backup Plans For Chicago Bulls If Zach LaVine Departs
The Bulls were better than they looked in their first-round exit, but that series also revealed just how far they are from being true title contenders.
Now, Zach LaVine will have to decide if he wants to stay and try to build a contender with Chicago or if he’d prefer to find greener pastures — and a better chance at the title — elsewhere. Let’s take a look at some of his options this offseason.