Rich Paul: Zach LaVine 'Deserves Better' amid Criticism During Bulls Trade Rumors

Zach LaVine's agent Rich Paul said on Thursday that his client "deserves better" amid reports of his allegedly strained relationship with the Chicago Bulls.

"I want to make this clean and clear: This whole idea that Zach has been anything but professional in this situation is false," the Klutch Sports Group CEO told NBC Sports' KC Johnson. "This guy has played hurt. He has represented the franchise with class. A lot has taken place during his time with the Bulls and he's taken the high road every time.

"Does every player get frustrated at times? Yes. But Zach has been the ultimate professional and deserves better. The Bulls have business to do. And we're letting them handle their business."

Paul's comments after Joe Cowley reported for the Chicago Sun-Times that an "NBA insider" said that the relationship between LaVine and the Bulls was "filled with mistrust."

"LaVine and his representation at Klutch Sports feel like they were misled on possible trade destinations, and the Bulls thought LaVine 'opting' for season-ending right foot surgery when rehab on the injury was still on the table was a counterpunch thrown below the belt," Cowley wrote.

LaVine underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot in February after missing 17 games due to inflammation.

At the time, the Bulls stated that "after seeking additional medical opinions, in consultation with the Chicago Bulls training and medical staff, guard Zach LaVine and Klutch Sports Group have elected surgery on LaVine's right foot as the next step in his recovery process."

LaVine said in March that he was "pretty much trying to figure out every way not to" have surgery, but that he reached the decision based on his pain level and his doctor's recommendation, per Johnson.

He previously played through injury for the Bulls after competing for part of the 2021-22 season with a knee issue that later required surgery.

The Bulls have been rumored to be considering trades for LaVine since before the 2023-24 season.

ESPN's Bobby Marks previously reported the team has had difficulty finding a market for LaVine, who averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his last injury-shortened campaign and has three years and more than $136 million remaining on his contract.