The Chicago Bulls spent the first half of last season as an Eastern Conference darling.
They were one of the top teams in the league and looked to have a bright future behind a core of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
Unfortunately, the team fell apart towards the end of the season. They have since been unable to reclaim that initial momentum.
This week, things went from bad to worse.
It appears as though a legitimate beef is forming in the locker room between LaVine and some of his teammates.
“There are a host of teams right now that are monitoring the situation … trying to see whether the Bulls ultimately do make Zach LaVine available.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on the on-court disconnect between the Bulls‘ two All-Star wings. pic.twitter.com/Ervx6Sam8L
— The Rally (@TheRally) December 20, 2022
“From what I’m told, there have been developing on-court issues and disconnect within the roster, particularly with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan,” Shams Charania reported.
“This is something the Bulls have been managing through various remedy attempts. Whether it’s team meetings (or) one-on-ones that have been set up between both DeRozan and LaVine. I’m told right now the Bulls and LaVine just simply are not seeing eye-to-eye on the situation and the approach to winning.”
This doesn’t come as a total surprise.
It’s worth remembering how LaVine spoke about the Bulls in the offseason before inking his new long-term contract.
Moreover, LaVar Ball’s words about the situation ring truer than ever.
Lonzo Ball’s dad cautioned folks over the summer that LaVine didn’t enjoy playing next to DeRozan. He also suggested that the 27-year-old would be happier elsewhere.
That’s quite the Christmas video. https://t.co/mHKXGOVsrl
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 21, 2022
Yes, LaVine ended up re-signing despite that – but LaVar was still right about the core beef.
It will be interesting to see where the Bulls go from here.
At the moment, the situation between them and LaVine appears to be growing increasingly untenable.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
