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Exit Survey: 3 offseason goals for the reeling Chicago Bulls

By Luke Duffy

Dec 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) celebrates a three point basket against the Indiana Pacers with forward DeMar DeRozan (11) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) celebrates a three point basket against the Indiana Pacers with forward DeMar DeRozan (11) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during a NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

3 offseason goals for the reeling Chicago Bulls: 1. Bring back Zach LaVine

All-Star Zach LaVine is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and in theory, he should return for the long-term. He has already been a part of a dysfunctional franchise in the Minnesota Timberwolves, so the idea of starting over with another organization probably doesn’t have a lot of appeal to him.

Regardless of how this season went, if LaVine is playing with DeRozan, Ball, Vucevic, and Patrick Williams, he is going to be part of a competitive team. They have the chance to get better, and LaVine himself looks like he has another level that he can get to in order to help the Bulls aim higher.

But there is still the chance that LaVine leaves. He is still 27, so he has some time on his side to wait for an up-and-coming group to get better. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic have the potential to be very good in the next couple of years. Would LaVine take a step back now in order to take a massive one forward in the coming years?

Bringing him back is hugely important to the Bulls, as what they hope to do going forward is built around him. DeRozan might be their best player right now, but he is not a long-term solution. LaVine most certainly is, and his 24.4 points on nearly 39 percent shooting from deep would not be easy to replace.

We know from the numbers he put up that he is capable of more than this, but he had to take a step back once DeRozan joined. Ball is a two-way point guard and Caruso’s defensive skills are hugely important to this group. Vucevic may be flawed, but offensively, he is excellent.

LaVine leading this group just makes sense, and although it is unlikely, the Bulls need to make sure he doesn’t leave by locking him up to a new deal as soon as possible.

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