When the Chicago Bulls made the midseason trade to acquire Nikola Vucevic in 2021, the goal was to quickly take the next step to contend with Zach LaVine as a franchise cornerstone. The team later acquired DeMar DeRozan using a sign-and-trade with the San Antonio Spurs during free agency — constructing what was perceived as being a sufficient trio of star players.
The Bulls finished with a 46-36 record in 2021-22 before losing the first round of the playoffs at the hands of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Chicago has yet to return to the postseason, and amid an 8-14 start to the team's current campaign, a roster breakup appears far more likely than a return to the playoffs.
At the forefront of trade speculation has been Zach LaVine — the Bulls' highest player — earning a $37.1 million salary this season in the first year of a five-year, $215.2 million contract. For a rebuild to begin, it'll likely require parting with him. He expressed joy for the team's three-game winning streak when speaking to reporters after Thursday's practice, expressing confidence the team is turning a corner.
"Whatever may have sparked it — if it was me off the court and that's a narrative that people want to run with it — we've won three games, I'm happy for it," LaVine said via ESPN. "Hopefully, I can get this foot right to get back out there and help my guys. I've been in the locker room every day and out here training, trying to get back out there to help everybody because it's fun when you're winning.
"This last three-game winning streak shows what we were trying to do at training camp."
LaVine is averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists amid a down-year from his typical production. He has remained sidelined since Nov. 28 due to inflammation on the lateral part of his foot, requiring PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection treatment, making injury recovery his top priority. A team announcement came Wednesday regarding an expectation that LaVine would be sidelined for another three or four weeks.
"It's just smart to calm it down now to where I can get back to 100 percent and hopefully finish this season strong and help everybody out there," LaVine said.
Some have speculated about LaVine's injury and whether there's a correlation between the decision to undergo the PRP injection and a desire to be traded. He addressed the talk about that possibility, stating the injury has nothing to do with his Bulls future.
"For everybody that knows me, I try to play through everything," LaVine said. "This [injury] has nothing to do with anything off the court, and everything off the court is still very much speculation.
"It's funny to me to see all the narratives that people run with. It is what it is. I go out there and put my heart on for Chicago whenever I put that jersey on. When I get back out there, I'll continue to do that."
In an attempt to clear up any doubt about his desire to remain with the Bulls, LaVine stated he's "committed here" when discussing his future in Chicago. As long as he is representing the organization, he is motivated to help the team to achieve its collective goals.
"The main thing I'm thinking about is getting my foot right, help these guys continue winning and playing like this," LaVine said.
"Am I still a part of this team and very committed? Yeah. I've got a Bulls jersey on and committed here. For as long as I'll be here, I'll still support and love Chicago and go out there and play my heart out for these guys. That's never gon' change."
The Bulls have until the Feb. 8 trade deadline to use midseason moves to maximize their positioning for either a rebuild or to continue to aspire to make a playoff push. Without LaVine in the lineup, the team has gone 3-1 through four games with the former All-Star guard sidelined, but will gain an extended look at how they fare as he recovers.
