Zach LaVine on Bulls Trade Rumors: 'I Feel Like I've Held Up My End of the Bargain'

Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine is adopting a pragmatic mindset when it comes to the rumors regarding his future with the team.

"I've been traded before," he said to the Chicago Tribune's Julia Poe. "Trades are just part of the business and guys get shuffled around every year. I've been in trade talks since I've been here for some reason.

"I feel like I've held up my end of the bargain in my commitment to the Bulls, but there's not a lot you can do with rumors and people putting your name in trade talks."

Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported in September the Bulls had "explored trade scenarios" involving the two-time All-Star, but "there just doesn't seem to be a robust market for LaVine's services, with his salary and injury history."

ESPN's Jamal Collier followed up on Oct. 2 to write they received inquires about LaVine, yet "no team has been willing to meet Chicago's reportedly large asking price."

Most recently, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported LaVine could be targeted by the Philadelphia 76ers once they decide to chase another star in the wake of the James Harden trade.

If the start of the 2023-24 NBA season is any indication, the steady swirl of rumors won't subside anytime soon.

The 28-year-old guard is averaging 24.5 points and had the first 50-point outing of the new campaign. His shooting (40.0 percent overall and 29.4 percent on threes) has been erratic but should level off sooner or later.

The Bulls, meanwhile, might be on a road to nowhere. They made it one night before staging a players-only meeting, and they managed to lose the game where LaVine went for 51 points.

The front office doubled down in the offseason by retaining Nikola Vučević, but it might have to seriously rethink its priorities if the team is hovering around a play-in tournament position closer to the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

There's nothing to indicate a LaVine trade is anywhere close to becoming a reality, but his and the team's performances are guaranteeing the door is bound to stay open.