How Bulls' deadline moves signal commitment to LaVine

Zach LaVine said he “gave a little bit of yell” in his house when the Bulls’ acquisition of Nikola Vučević finalized on trade deadline day.

And why wouldn’t the Bulls’ All-Star guard express excitement to not only play alongside an All-Star center who he is close with because they share the same agency, but projects to complement LaVine’s prodigious skill and burning desire to win?

LaVine is a savvy guy. He understands the declaration that such a bold move by the front office, as well as complementary moves he also praised, makes for the entire franchise.

“That they’re not here to mess around,” he said following Friday’s practice at Advocate Center. “They’re ready to win and they’ll do anything it takes to make this organization better and get back to where this franchise should be at. That’s what I got from it.

“We got another big-time player here. For me personally, that’s something that’s really big and speaks volumes to me and not just on how they see me but how they see the organization and what they’re trying to do moving forward. That’s big because I want to win. That’s all I’ve been talking about the last couple years. And I think this puts us in the right foothold of being able to put some wins on the board.”

This is where LaVine strikes to the heart of the matter. A prevailing sentiment following the Bulls’ busy trade deadline day is what the moves mean for management’s estimation of LaVine.

By shedding underachieving young players and cashing in two first-round picks, executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas and general Marc Eversley basically said the future is now. And that’s music to LaVine’s ears.

“I’ve always been invested. Either way, I’m invested fully. But this just gives me a little extra confidence knowing you’re going out there and you got some guys fighting with you,” LaVine said. “(Management) has been great. I haven’t questioned them since I been here. I think they’re all business and they understand where they want to go. And I think they understand my thoughts as well. We’ve had conversations on where I should be as a player and where I see us as a team. I think everything is matching up.”

The Bulls have the opportunity to renegotiate LaVine’s deal this summer and also own his Bird rights to pay him more than any other team should he reach unrestricted free agency in 2023. If LaVine earns an All-NBA selection either this season or next, he would become eligible for a so-called “super max” contract that only the Bulls can pay him.

LaVine chuckled when asked if acquiring another All-Star, as well as playoff-tested veterans like Daniel Theis and Al-Farouq Aminu, make him more likely to want to re-sign with the Bulls. Vučević easily represents LaVine's most accomplished teammate since arriving in Chicago.

“I want to stay in Chicago. I haven’t had anything of wanting to leave,” he said. “When that time comes, obviously I’ll try to do the best I can to stay here. Adding someone like this and being more attractive in the free-agent market to bring more players here is always a bonus for any player.”

And as for that fit with Vučević? LaVine couldn’t stop smiling while breaking that down.

“I’ve always wanted to play with a dominant big,” LaVine said. “We’re obviously going to have to figure out our chemistry. But with a guy like that who is so talented offensively, he’s dominant in the post, in the mid-range, he facilitates, he can pop for the three. So I think a combination of us in pick-and-roll, pick-and-pops, is going to be deadly.

“The main thing I’ve come to see is it’s going to be a lot harder for people to double. Guard play should get a lot more easy shots. Him playing in the pocket, picking-and-popping, we’re going to find a mismatch really easy and make the defense make a decision.”

LaVine also praised the other pickups, which include Troy Brown Jr. and Javonte Green.

“Daniel Theis is a difference maker. You have to scout for him when you play Boston,” LaVine said. “They have a bunch of dudes over there but he’s a key guy over there that made their offense and defense run. He did a lot of dirty work, took charges, extremely physical and tough. He’s going to help.

“Al-Farouq, I played against him a long time, even when he was in Portland. Tough guy. Does a lot of different things well. Troy Brown, when we played Washington, he always guarded me and I always respected him taking the challenge. He’s somebody that doesn’t back down and is a playmaker as well. Javonte Green is an extreme athlete. I remember we played Boston a year ago and he came in and gave us 10-15 points really fast.

“Adding these guys, obviously we have to get to know each other and get to know their chemistry. But I think AK and Marc (Eversley) did their homework on everybody and did a really good job of what identity they want with the Chicago Bulls moving forward.”

An identity that should include LaVine for years to come.

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