FILE PHOTO: Mar 14, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls and twice All-Star Zach LaVine on Friday agreed to a $215 million contract extension, the latest blockbuster NBA deal after Nikola Jokic’s record $270 million extension with the Denver Nuggets.
The five-year deal keeps the guard in Chicago after producing an average 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last season, helping the Bulls to the post season for the first time since 2017.
He achieved those stats despite being bothered by a left knee injury that ultimately required surgery following the season.
LaVine averaged 13.7 points during his three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-17). He has averaged 24.4 points in five campaigns with the Bulls since being acquired by Chicago in a 2017 trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
It was the latest in a frenzy of ultra-rich NBA free-agency moves that included All-Star Bradley Beal agreeing on a five-year maximum contract worth $251 million to stay with the Washington Wizards Thursday and back-to-back MVP Jokic’s deal.
The Serbian and four-time All-Star agreed to the largest contract in league history after a blockbuster season in which he averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.