3 offseason moves the Chicago Bulls need to make

1. Figure out a Zach LaVine extension

The financial structure of the NBA makes this a bit more difficult than simply offering LaVine a max deal. The Bulls can offer LaVine an extension worth just over $100 million this offseason. That number shoots up to $200 million if he waits until next season.

So it would appear he is dealing with a no-brainer of a decision. The Bulls can still offer an extension and move some money around, but waiting for the true max deal may be in LaVine’s best interest.

So this priority is less about actually signing him and more about figuring out how the team will in fact sign him at some point. That means the front office also needs to figure out his intentions and if he even wants to stay in Chicago for the long-term. Staying would allow him to sign a deal worth over $200 million, but he would still take home a large fortune elsewhere if he decides he wants out of Chicago.

Letting LaVine walk for nothing next summer would be a true disaster for the Bulls. He has emerged as a true star player and is also a leader for a team that was dealing with more drama than success before Donovan showed up.

The Bulls need to keep LaVine and that may even mean doing a player-friendly deal this summer, if he would sign, to make sure he stays with the Bulls for years to come.