Zach LaVine doesn't deny nor confirm the desire to be traded away from the Chicago Bulls

What will the future hold for Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls?

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

A recent report that detailed the Chicago Bulls’ apparent openness to trading ace guard Zach LaVine has opened a Pandora’s box of questions and speculation. LaVine, a two-time all-star and the team’s scoring sentinel has yet to confirm or deny whether he wants out of Chicago.

LaVine addressed the reports on Wednesday before the Bulls’ game against the Orlando Magic, saying he’s keeping a hands-off approach to the proceedings.

Agents will do what they do

A report from The Athletic emerged earlier in the week, revealing that the front office is more open to trading the high-scoring wingman. With the team sporting a 4-8 record, change may be in order in the Windy City. If change does come, LaVine said he’ll let his agent, Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul, do his job.

“That’s why I have representatives like Rich Paul. If he speaks on my behalf, that’s my agent. That’s who I obviously have my camp with. They talk to Artūras (Karnišovas) and them. My job is to go out here and play. Simple as that,” LaVine said.

LaVine added that his name has been dragged into trade rumors far too often for him to get bothered by it. He’s been through the process before, getting traded from Minnesota to Chicago in 2017 so he’s experienced enough to know that the rumors don’t mean anything until his name is actually in a trade.

“We understand the business of basketball, I do more than most people. People talk. I’ve been in trade talks for a long time, so I understand the situation,” LaVine shared.

“But once news is always broken it’s a big thing. It’s not like it will be the first or the last time it’s going to happen with my name. As of right now I’m excited to still put this jersey on and go out here and play, try and get this win (Wednesday).”

The Bulls are on the run 💨@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/eQPrxe7jUJ

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 16, 2023

Another conversation for another time

When asked by the media if he wanted to remain in Chicago or not, LaVine was non-committal with his answer.

“If we need to talk about that at a time, you know right now is not that time to really talk about that. Play the Orlando Magic (Wednesday), try and get a win. If something comes obviously out later on that will be the time I talk about it,” LaVine said.

LaVine led the Bulls with 19 points and six rebounds in the 96-94 to the Magic. However, he struggled from the field, missing 10 of his 16 attempts, dropping his field goal percentage to just 40 percent this season.

ZACH TIES THE GAME WITH 7.4 SECONDS LEFT. pic.twitter.com/ZoXAfV2muW

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 16, 2023

Report reveals the Chicago Bulls are now more open to trading Zach LaVine