Many players will be changing teams this offseason in NBA free agency. Arguably the best one that now seems to have a chance of changing addresses is All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine.
For a while, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that LaVine would be re-signing with the Chicago Bulls. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and have spent a lot of resources upgrading the roster over the last year or so.
It started with the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic and then adding Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso during the 2021 offseason.
Recent comments by LaVine certainly make it seem like it is no longer a lock that he returns to Chicago. He is going to take his time and weigh all of his options. Ultimately, that could mean returning to the Chicago Bulls, but other teams that want to make a run at him will certainly have a chance to sway his mind.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Free Agency Landing Spots For Chicago Bulls Star Zach LaVine
But, his NBA free agency could be hampered by the recent news shared by Shams Charania. He shared that Zach LaVine is going to undergo a scope procedure in the coming weeks on his left knee.
This is the same knee that was giving LaVine some issues around the All-Star break when he missed a few games. Getting it cleaned up now in the offseason is the right move, but it will certainly raise some red flags for teams that were going to pursue him.
Zach LaVine is eligible to sign a five-year, $212 million deal with the Chicago Bulls and a four-year, $160 million deal is the max other teams can offer him. LaVine fell short of qualifying for a supermax, but he will surely cash in after out-performing the four-year, $78 million deal he signed as a restricted free agent a few years ago.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Free Agency Landing Spots For Chicago Bulls Star Zach LaVine
He will still likely land a max deal that will take him through his prime seasons. But, teams will certainly worry about the issue that he is dealing with when it comes to his knee. Hopefully, the procedure cleans things up and he is good to go soon after, but teams will be doing their due diligence, acquiring information so that they can limit their risks as much as possible.
