NBA rumors: Zach LaVine expected to re-sign with Bulls in free agency, per report

LaVine has previously said he wants to explore free agency

Zach LaVine has been linked to several teams as an impending free agent since his Chicago Bulls were knocked out of the postseason by the Milwaukee Bucks. After revealing that he plans "to enjoy free agency" following that loss to Milwaukee, rumors have suggested his interest in the Blazers, Spurs, Lakers and others. But according to Bleacher Report, it doesn't look like any of those teams will be able to successfully recruit the two-time All-Star, as the outlet reports that LaVine is expected to re-sign with the Bulls.

Talks between the Bulls and LaVine's camp now appear centered on the fifth year of a possible max deal. LaVine is eligible for a deal worth a projected $212 million, but the exact format that deal takes, and whether it includes a player option or non-guarantee in the final season, are still to be determined.

LaVine is coming off of knee surgery, and has a history of knee injuries that make his long-term durability a question market. Chicago will still eagerly pay up to keep him, but the idea that the Bulls might want to work some sort of injury mechanism into his contract makes plenty of sense on the surface. In fact, that might have played a part in motivating LaVine's open-mindedness about other teams. But with Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reporting that he is expected to stay in Chicago, the two sides appear to have made progress in bridging that gap.

The Bulls were one of the NBA's best teams when healthy. Things took a turn for the worse when LaVine, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso starting fighting off injuries. Chicago is betting that a healthy core with an extra season of reps together can get them back into the championship picture. They have been aggressive on the trade front to that same end. Fischer had previously reported that the Bulls were among the teams interested in Rudy Gobert, and while he adds that they are unwilling to include Patrick Williams in such a package now, they are shopping Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and the No. 18 overall pick to see if they can improve. 

Keeping LaVine will be a big part of their improvement. Chicago relies on LaVine and DeMar DeRozan to create the bulk of their shots. If they have those two back in the fold, they should be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference next season.