Bulls star Zach LaVine expected to become a free agent in 2022
The Chicago Bulls could be a team on the rise in the coming years. With Zach LaVine turning into a potential perennial All-Star as well as the acquisition of Nikola Vujicic, Chicago could become a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.
However, LaVine will not make it easy for the team to simply retain him. The up-and-comer will almost certainly test NBA free agency in 2022 rather than signing an extension with the Bulls, according to Bleacher Report’s A. Sherrod Blakely.
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That’s why rival executives anticipate the Bulls will try to lock up LaVine with a contract extension (he will make $19.5 million this season and next) but know he’ll likely let his deal lapse, become an unrestricted free agent and sign what will be a more lucrative multiyear max pact.
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The Bulls will likely do everything within the team’s powers to sign LaVine to a long-term deal. He clearly is the franchise’s future at this point. LaVine has gone from a promising high-fly act to a legitimate star in this league while in Chicago. As a result, he could only go up from here if talent is put around him.
The real question from here on out is whether LaVine wants to stay in Chicago. He could truly test the market and explore other options as a free agent next year. He will certainly have his fair share of options once free agency comes along and he could get enticed by another club that has a better chance of competing sooner rather than later.
