2018 NBA free agency: 5 worst signings

2. Zach LaVine: 4 years, $78 million (Chicago Bulls)

Zach LaVine is a very talented player, he’s just not $20 million per year talented. There are a few reasons the Chicago Bulls should have known better than to throw such a hefty contract at him.

First and foremost, LaVine is yet to prove that he can return to form after tearing his ACL in 2017. In 24 games last season he averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 38 percent shooting from the field. His percentages were better when he was healthy, but even so the Bulls are massively overpaying him with this contract.

Not only is the contract too expensive for what LaVine brings to the table, but it is also too long for a player who has his injury history. It’s a big gamble for the Bulls, and probably not a smart one. If LaVine goes down with another serious injury in the next year or two, the Bulls will be kicking themselves and wishing they hadn’t committed so strongly to him.

https://twitter.com/big_Muddro/status/1018018239253811200

Another concern with LaVine is his defense. He’s not a very complete player in this league yet, and for that reason offering him such a large contract is a big mistake. There is a fine line between keeping talent and overpaying for it.