Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls are having an up-and-down start to their 2024-25 NBA regular season, having alternated losses and wins to get to 2-2 after four games.
One thing that’s clearly consistent so far for the Bulls is the elite play of LaVine. Through four games, the former UCLA Bruins star is averaging 24.7 points on 55.6 percent shooting from the floor, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Kendrick Perkins sounds off on Zach LaVine doubters
It seems that LaVine has already fully recovered from the foot surgery that ended his campaign prematurely during the 2023-24 season.
That foot injury was among the talking points people had when speaking about their doubts about LaVine and his trade value back in the offseason. Enter former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins, who appeared to have taken a subtle shot at LaVine’s naysayers after the Bulls star scored a season-high 30 points on 12-for-22 shooting from the field in Chicago’s 126-123 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies Monday night.
“I was told that teams didn’t think Zach Lavine had any trade value. Well shame on them,” Perkins posted on X (formerly Twitter). ‘He’s only averaging a casual 25 points on 55% shooting!!!”
Perkins, however, failed to mention another key reason why teams stayed away from trying to trade for LaVine, and that was his contract. LaVine, including this season, has two years left on his current deal before a player option for the 2026-27 season worth $48.967 million. He is already earning $43.031 million this season and will pocket $45.999 million more in the 2025-26 campaign.
For More NBA, WNBA, and College Basketball Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @Rexwell14. Also, do not forget to follow us at @HardwoodHeroics for even more great basketball content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of the NBA – especially with all the NBA trade rumors swirling around and NBA free agency news – college basketball, and also the WNBA, click here!
