Zach LaVine’s ongoing precarious status with the Chicago Bulls continues to be one of the less talked about big stories heading into the 2021-22 NBA season.
LaVine is set to make $19.5 million this year, before ultimately becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer. Despite his undeniable status as the Bulls’ best player last season, the two sides could not come to terms on a contract extension.
LaVine has made his feelings about that abundantly clear.
Now, an opening has seemingly appeared that may result in LaVine ending up elsewhere sooner rather than later. Apparently, one team is very interested in stealing him away from the Bulls.
According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the Boston Celtics are a team to watch in this entire process.
“A potential Celtics free agent target could be Chicago’s Zach LaVine, who is entering the final year of his contract,” Washburn said. “He will have to prove he can lead the Bulls to the playoffs before a contract extension. LaVine changed representation recently and signed with Klutch Sports, which is usually the move for players who want to maximize their free agent potential.”
That said, LaVine serves as Boston’s Plan B. Plan A? That’s Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards.
Dak Prescott stays winning. https://t.co/WN2voiN8k7
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 11, 2021
“In the case that Bradley Beal decides to stay in Washington, LaVine could be the Celtics’ No. 1 target,” Washburn added.
The Celtics have in excess of $100 million committed to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford and Marcus Smart in 2022-23, so it’ll be interesting to see how they fit someone like LaVine into that.
The Wizards have made their asking price for Beal clear, so unless Boston meets it, it’s hard to see a scenario where they land him.
LaVine on the other hand? Between the Bulls’ inability to get an extension worked out and his recent comments – that appears to be an option that’s getting likelier by the day.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
