NBA Rumors: Zach LaVine's Tension with Bulls Detailed amid Trade Buzz, Foot Injury

The level of unease between the Chicago Bulls and star guard Zach LaVine "has been growing over the past year," according to ESPN's Jamal Collier.

Collier detailed the numerous factors that have created the discord, which include LaVine's frustration with the Bulls' performance and the organization being upset he had season-ending foot surgery last year rather than rehabbing and potentially suiting up again.

LaVine and head coach Billy Donovan "have not been on the same page in recent seasons," per Collier, though they've largely kept that out of the public view. Collier provided a full breakdown:

"LaVine has also felt singled out during film sessions and feels like he has taken too much blame for the team's losing during his tenure — which has produced one playoff appearance in seven years — despite other roster failings, sources told ESPN. Donovan, meanwhile, believes he's been trying to get LaVine to buy in to a more team-friendly playing style, according to sources, emphasizing the way the Bulls competed in LaVine's absence last year as evidence for the team's potential if LaVine fits within the system."

Everyone seems to know the lay of the land with LaVine and Chicago.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported last Friday the Bulls are "resigned to fact that they will likely be forced to start the new season with LaVine on the roster."

That's a rather damning way to describe continuing to employ a two-time All-Star who has average 24.2 points on 47.1 percent shooting over the past seven seasons. But it reflects the dilemma in which Chicago finds itself.

LaVine doesn't fit into the Bulls' long-term plans as they're leaning more into an overdue rebuild but he's a net-negative asset right now thanks to his cumbersome contract. For at least the last year, a trade market has reportedly been nonexistent.

Collier noted how LaVine and the team are incentivized to make things work as best they can. Should the 29-year-old stay healthy and perform well, it could entice a team to pursue a trade.

However, the issues cited in Collier's report raise questions over whether the two sides can even remain diplomatic long enough for that to happen.