Zach LaVine: would have been 'disrespectful' to look elsewhere

“I went into the offseason with an open mind,’’ LaVine explained on Monday, when discussing his recently signed five-year, $215 million max contract. “Once I was able to meet with Marc and AK , and they came to me with everything that I wanted, there was no other reason for me to go outside and look at any other teams. “I think that would have been, for me, disrespectful on my end because they gave me everything that I asked for.’’
Source: Joe Cowley @ Chicago Sun-Times

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
After years of perceived slights and objectively being underpaid for his production, the recognition a max contract connotes undoubtedly means something to Zach LaVine
But his mindset as a basketball player remains the same
nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 8:59 PM Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Zach LaVine welcoming Bulls’ continuity after agreeing to $215 million extension
via @TheAthletic theathletic.com/3416396/2022/0… – 7:48 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
“My heart was in Chicago.”
Zach LaVine says he didn’t waver in re-signing with the Bulls.
The latest on the guard’s free agency conversations, take on the Bulls offseason roster building and excitement over becoming a dad:
chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/c… – 7:41 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Zach LaVine has his new max deal … what say you Zach? LaVine talks added pressure and how the deal was done in his mind all along.
Read it:
chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/7/1… – 6:14 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said he, Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley and Billy Donovan went out for a celebratory dinner after he signed his contract with the Bulls
Said he thanked them for their work in bringing him back — but allowed them to “pay for some expensive wine” – 5:34 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Zach LaVine said he’s feeling “way better” after a knee scope surgery that he described as “run of the mill.”
After starting slow in his recovery, Zach said he’s optimistic about his knee heading into next season. – 5:32 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Speaking on a Zoom call, Zach LaVine said he shot welcoming texts to Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic. Said he and Drummond may work out together near LA. – 5:21 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Big year for Zach LaVine, who’s also expecting his first child. A q about becoming a dad got a big smile out of him.
“That’s bigger than basketball, bigger than everything. I’m nervous, anxious, excited … I know how to play basketball but this is something I haven’t done yet.” – 5:20 PM Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Zach LaVine, speaking with reporters for the first time since signing his new five-year max extension, “Chicago is my home.”
He said he did not meet with any other teams during free agency. On the Bulls: “They gave me everything I asked for” – 5:11 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said he didn’t take a free agent meeting with any team other than the Bulls. Said Bulls’ front office’s offer had everything he wanted – 5:08 PM Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
On a media call with Zach LaVine right now, who says he did not take a call from any other teams before re-signing with the Bulls.
“My heart was in Chicago.” – 5:07 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Pressure? What pressure. Zach LaVine says no added pressure being a max guy. – 5:05 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan joined the ESPN2 broadcast during Bulls-Knicks summer league action and addressed Lonzo Ball’s health, Goran Dragić’s arrival and Zach LaVine’s future.
For @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 6:50 PM

More on this storyline

“Being able to come back as a cornerstone piece and allowing them to get some of my insights, some of my input in pretty much constructing the roster to help me and help us win was really big for me,’’ LaVine said. “Chicago is my home.’’ -via Chicago Sun-Times / July 11, 2022 “I was striving for it when I was on my rookie deal,’’ LaVine said. “It’s just who I am and what goals and what things I want to reach with and how much better can we get as a team. But there’s no added pressure, it’s just a compliment of a lot of hard work and showing what kind of player I am.’’ -via Chicago Sun-Times / July 11, 2022 Rob Schaefer: Zach LaVine said he feels “great” after what he called a “run of the mill knee scope” in May. He’s been rehabbing, working out, playing basketball “I feel really good, and over the next two months, getting back into the season, I feel like I’m gonna be even better.” -via Twitter @rob_schaef / July 11, 2022