NBA Free Agency 2018: One signing every team should make

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 11: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Taurean Prince #12 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bulls — Zach LaVine

The Bulls should not be players this summer. Their young pieces are still developing and they can open up cap space in a year or two when Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and the others develop into real, tangible players. This summer is about preserving that space. Maybe the Bulls make a run at Chicago native Jabari Parker in restricted free agency, but his fit isn’t perfect and it’s unclear if he’s worth tying up future cap space for.

This brings us to LaVine, who has played a total of 24 games and 656 minutes for the Bulls as he hits restricted free agency. It’s still unclear if he’s empty calories or a player who could be a key part of a good team, but he’s still 23 and as athletic as any player in the NBA, assuming his ACL tear won’t cost him a step. There’s time for him still.

The key for the Bulls here is to get LaVine at a fair price. Does he push for something like $60 million over four years? Could he sign a deal closer to what Dion Waiters inked with the Heat last summer at four-years, $52 million? Or maybe even less? It does, though, seem unlikely that LaVine would take his qualifying offer for next season, which is worth $4.3 million.

Chicago should want to sign LaVine as it figures out what he is and how he fits into their future plans. It’s just about what it’ll cost for them to do so.

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