Despite some speculation that he would be leaving the team this offseason, Zach LaVine is ready to commit to Chicago for the long term.
The Bulls and LaVine agreed to a five-year, $215 million max contract Friday, the max amount of money and years he could be offered according to NBC Chicago.
LaVine announced his return to the Windy City via his Instagram by using a famous scene from The Wolf of Wall Street.
Zach LaVine announces on his Instagram he’s back with the Bulls pic.twitter.com/JKCNfNS96e
— The Barber’s Chair Network, LLC (@BarbersChairNet) July 1, 2022
While Bulls fans are excited about LaVine staying in town, a vast majority of Twitter thinks the price may be too high for someone who’s made only two All-Star games and never been named to an All-NBA team.
$43mm/year for Lavine, how has made what, 1 all star game? Has he ever made an All-NBA?
— Mulkeen (@Mulkeen) July 1, 2022
He’s a 2-time All-Star , exciting player, won a couple Slam Dunk Contests, works hard , good guy but still streaky , still no D. a MAX deal ? Good for him ! I just think standards have been lowered a bit and there seems to be no limit to NBA money, it’s thru the stratosphere
— MARK GIANGRECO (@mark_giangreco) July 1, 2022
“He deserves it!” pic.twitter.com/4Kw4zEi6TX
— Brown Messiah (@Nihadistbaby) July 1, 2022
Zach LaVine has recorded four games in which he's scored at least 40 points with an 80 eFG% for the @chicagobulls, one more such game than all other players in franchise history combined.
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Luol Deng each recorded one such game for the Bulls. https://t.co/CAM18Ivx4C
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) July 1, 2022
there she is let's go https://t.co/agcAfbJudV
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) July 1, 2022
ZACH LAVINE IS A BULL I TOLD YALL LFGGG
— mev 🏀🧸🌹 (@mevvybear) July 1, 2022
I'm very happy Zach LaVine got his bag with Chicago. Now please go make a trade so I can trick myself into thinking the Bulls can be a contender again one day.
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) July 1, 2022
Whatever you think about LaVine, the 27-year-old guard is coming of the two best seasons of his career, helping the Bulls make the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17. The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion was also named an All-Star in both 2021 and 2022.
About Jasper Jones
A native east coaster via Connecticut, Jasper is a writer for The Comeback and Audacy Sports. He decided to head south for college, attending the University of Kentucky and graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism. Prior to joining The Comeback, Jones spent a year writing for FanSided's college football blog, Saturday Blitz, covering news surrounding the sport and recruiting. He spent the same amount of time doing some freelance work for the tabloid/sports outlet BlackSportsOnline. In his free time, Jones loves to cheer on his Kentucky Wildcats, collect sneakers, read a good book, and get in some gains at the gym. You can follow him on Twitter @jonesj2342.