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Zach LaVine on free agency: I should be getting what I deserve

HoopsHype
·4 min read

The Bulls have quickly elevated to the top of the East, with shrewd trades and signings — and keeping LaVine as a rare holdover. This regime keeps its strategy a mystery, but Zach LaVine is making a case for a max contract — which he won’t definitively say but won’t deny, either. “I think we all get what we deserve at the level we play at, for our team and around the league. I think I stack up with everybody at that level,” he said. “We’ll let the chips fall. Is the [max] the goal? I don’t know if it’s the goal, but I should be getting what I deserve. I’ll let them tell me what that is and we’ll go from there.”
Source: Vincent Goodwill @ Yahoo! Sports

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Zach LaVine to @YahooSports on free agency: “I’m gonna get what I deserve…it’s my first time going into free agency.” sports.yahoo.com/zach-lavine-on… – 6:19 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Have an opinion on whether or not Zach LaVine should be participating in the All-Star Weekend with a bad left wheel? This just in, save it because LaVine doesn’t care. He’s his own boss.
Read it:
chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/2/1… – 3:16 PM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
From Cleveland: Zach LaVine speaks on knee appointment for first time, and DeMar DeRozan provides perspective on playing through pain
nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 2:28 PM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said during All-Star media session his knee feels “great” after visit with LA specialist
“The last three games I just had to take it upon myself to make sure I was OK for the second half of the season.” Called season an important one for him – 12:38 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine says he’s feeling much better following treatment for his knee, which included a cortisone shot.
He says this weekend meant too much to him to miss — especially as he aims to become the first player to win All-Star Dunk and 3-point Contest trophies. pic.twitter.com/J9DdSFPrqL – 12:19 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine making the media rounds pic.twitter.com/3RYNTr0qRf – 12:15 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Zach LaVine on himself and DeMar DeRozan: “We’re the best duo in the NBA.” – 12:13 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Zach LaVine is always asked about one more dunk contest. He was very clear just now – never happening! – 12:13 PM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine shooting around and mingling a bit at All-Star practice pic.twitter.com/dKLvRDvBgW – 11:35 AM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine getting loose and ready for tonight’s All-Star festivities at open practice this morning in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/4TdvtXgmCQ – 11:35 AM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Zach LaVine ready to test that knee in All-Star practice. pic.twitter.com/cE6S5me0ps – 11:14 AM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine introduced for Team Durant’s All-Star practice pic.twitter.com/YIO9CVoGkI – 11:14 AM

KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bulls’ Zach LaVine has earned right for All-Star victory lap.
Column for ⁦@NBCSChicago⁩: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 10:40 AM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
LaVine also in the house … sitting next to KAT. Hope he’s not recruiting him! – 10:04 PM

Trey Kerby @treykerby
LaVine and DeRozan courtside to watch Ayo 👀🔴 – 9:53 PM

More on this storyline

He’ll be a free agent in July — an unrestricted free agent. A big playoff run could erase any remaining doubts, if there are any. “Free agency is gonna be a big milestone for me,” LaVine told Yahoo Sports. “It’s my first time going into it really being [an] unrestricted free agent. I dealt with it being restricted before so it’s a whole new experience. I’m excited for the season with the Bulls. But you know, moving forward, it’s gonna be a whole new experience for me.” -via Yahoo! Sports / February 19, 2022

That restricted free agency experience sticks with him. He’s not on the Michael Jordan scale of petty or the Scottie Pippen scale of delusion, but he quietly craves the validation. LaVine is eligible for a five-year deal around $200 million this summer if he re-signs with the Bulls — and higher if he makes an All-NBA team. He can get a four-year deal around $160 million if he outright signs with another team. “I remember everything now,” LaVine said, smiling. “I know it’s a different front office, a different time. But I’m gonna take it day by day and let my agent handle it. But I remember everything. It’s something — I always have a chip on my shoulder for multiple reasons.” -via Yahoo! Sports / February 19, 2022