The Chicago Bulls traded away star guard Zach LaVine to Sacramento just hours after losing a road game against the Detroit Pistons. LaVine was widely expected, but his former teammates were caught off guard.
“I was all shocked,” said guard Coby White. “We’d been talking about it for years, and then especially the year he was having. We felt for him, knowing this was home for him.”
LaVine’s departure marks a significant shift for the Bulls, who had struggled to find success with him on the roster. Despite being in contention for the Play-in Tournament, Chicago will need to make more moves before Thursday’s deadline.
“We’re kind of in the middle here,” said head coach Billy Donovan. “We need to make a shift and do something. I think that’s been the goal.”
The Bulls have multiple players tied to potential trades, including Nikola Vučević, Lonzo Ball, and Patrick Williams. Vučević’s contract is a major hurdle, with a $20 million salary this season.
If no deal emerges before Thursday, trade talks can be revisited in the summer. Donovan likened the situation to rebuilding his coaching staff after losing key players in college.
“When those guys leave, you’re starting over,” he said. “The situation here is as close to scratch as a franchise can be.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6114729/2025/02/05/zach-lavine-bulls-trade-direction