Zach LaVine says Chicago Bulls thrive when playing with a veteran point guard

Zach LaVine knows which piece of the puzzle the Bulls are missing.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Will the Chicago Bulls finally have a legitimate point guard manning the team next season? Or will they continue to rely on a carousel of talented yet unproven young guards? That is one question ace wingman Zach LaVine hopes will be answered this offseason, as he believes that having a veteran guard would be key to the Bulls' success.

Will Bulls play Ball?

The uncertainty surrounding the health of point guard Lonzo Ball looms like a dark cloud over the franchise. With him leading the charge, pushing the pace, and skillfully defending opposing guards, the Bulls were one of the league's best squads. However, when the former UCLA Bruin injured his knee in January 2022, things just haven't been the same, and the Bulls reached their low point when they missed the NBA Playoffs this season.

"I think it was big (missing Ball)," said LaVine. "You saw how good we were at the beginning of the season last year and how easy it was for us. And then, obviously, with him going down and us trying to scramble. It makes everybody play a different role than we were supposed to."

Who will be the team's point guard?

This past season, the Bulls had hopes that Ball would return. When that didn't happen, they turned to numerous players like young guys Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, as well as to veterans Alex Caruso and Pat Beverley—the latter sparking the team's late-season surge towards the Play-in tournament, with Zach leading the way on offense.

"And then coming into this year, not really having that 100 percent point guard. I think everybody stepped up in a certain way. It was tough for us to have a setback like that. You saw how much better we were after All-Star break when everyone had their solidified roles. Pat (Beverley) came in to play, a veteran point guard, an elite guard that's been in big games and big situations. And we thrived."

So, who will be the Bulls' point guard for next season? Beverley and White are free agents, while there is no timeline for Ball's return. White has expressed interest in returning to the Bulls, and it wouldn't be a surprise if they invested in him again. But even with him back, the Bulls could look for another guard this offseason.