Chicago Bulls: 3 reasons Zach LaVine’s contract is a good deal
By Ryan Piers
1. The fine print
LaVine’s health raises the biggest questions. Yes, he’s damaged goods. Are we talking about a dent and a couple scratches, or does he need new side door, axle and paint job?
Coming off ACL surgery, Hoiberg handcuffed is shiny toy, abiding by a rigid minutes limit. In 24 games, LaVine only played starter’s minutes nine times. In seven of the nine games in which he played more than 30 minutes, he scored at least 20 points.
Even at 85 percent health, LaVine zipped past defenders, more athletic than 90 percent of his counterparts.
Will his body hold up through the entirety of his four-year contract? If it doesn’t, the Bulls are protected. That’s the beauty, at least from Chicago’s perspective, of the LaVine contract. The Chicago Tribune reports the Kings included “substantial injury protection” for LaVine’s surgically repaired left knee. That contract clause carried over to Chicago’s negotiating table.
Thus, the Bulls didn’t have to jab LaVine’s ego by originally writing it into the fine print. Most importantly, they’ll be okay if LaVine struggles to stay healthy.
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It’s really the only reason to get hung up on re-signing the young, hopefully star. He fits well in Hoiberg’s system, complements defensive-minded point guard Kris Dunn well and is still a maturing player. The Bulls smartly matched the Kings offer sheet, retaining LaVine at a good price with protection.