1 New Year’s resolution for every team in 2024: Central Division
By Tyler Key
Bulls Resolution: Find a trade partner who wants Zach LaVine.
Chicago needs… to get off the LaVine contract, even if it means taking 40 cents on the dollar. The Bulls are 10-6 this season without LaVine and 5-13 with him this year. There have been indications for years that he might be a “good stats, bad team” guy and that he does not contribute to winning despite the good counting stats.
Unfortunately for him, this season seems to be proving that. There are probably a few teams willing to take a risk on LaVine and Chicago should jump at that opportunity. LaVine not playing has also given room for Coby White to thrive. The 7th overall pick from 2019 has had his best statistical year by far this season, averaging 17.7 PPG and 4.8 APG.
He is shooting a career-best 39.1% from beyond the arc. In the 16 games without LaVine, White has also increased those marks to 22.7 PPG and 5.7 APG. In an ideal world, the Bulls would move on DeMar DeRozan and get some nice assets for Alex Caruso as well, but LaVine is the only must-trade this season.