Billy Donovan reveals that Zach LaVine may stay with the Chicago Bulls

Zach LaVine may end up staying in Chicago.

© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

While talks about the future of Zach LaVine with the Chicago Bulls rage on, especially with the trade deadline fast approaching, coach Billy Donovan revealed that there haven’t been any internal conversations that would indicate his imminent departure.

Donovan shared that he and LaVine are focused on what he can do to help a Bulls team that has been playing better since a horrendous 5-14 start to the season.

How LaVine can help the Bulls move forward

The Bulls are 2-0 since LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returned to the lineup last weekend. However, they have challenging games against the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Donovan revealed that LaVine hasn’t mentioned anything about wanting to be traded or anything of that nature. Instead, their talks have been about improving as a team and winning games.

“In my conversations with Zach — and again, he’s never really talked about his future, his feelings toward the organization and the team, never anything like that — everything he’s talked about is: How does he help the group? And it’s always been really positive, constructive conversations with him,” Donovan said.

“I know there is a lot of reporting and things that were out there about what potentially may or may not happen, but my conversations with him leading into his return was he needed to come in and help the group any way he could.”

Cute little move from LaVine pic.twitter.com/c2jGJlib8l

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 6, 2024

No market for LaVine

It’s no secret the Bulls are looking to move the two-time All-Star. However, that has proven difficult, given his enormous salary and how the Bulls have played better without him in the lineup. Reports have also mentioned there’s no market for LaVine’s services right now. Donovan said he’s operating under the mentality that this is the team he’ll have for the season.

“For me, I’ve always taken the approach that this is our team for the rest of the year until something changes. As a coach, if you sit around and say, ‘Well, this guy can be moved, this guy can be moved,’ then you’re looking at, ‘Who are we getting back?’ To me, it would be just a waste of energy,” Donovan said.

Ladies and gentleman... Zach LaVine 👏 pic.twitter.com/JoawPnmEhT

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 6, 2024

Report predicts Zach LaVine will get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers