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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2022 Free Agents - Zach Lavine
Summary
Lavine had a very impressive '20-'21 season, making his first All-Star team and having by far his most efficient year. He shot 42% from three and 58% from two, giving him an eFG% of 60%, putting him in the top 10th percentile of wings. Considering the level of difficulty of Lavine's shots as a primary scorer, that was really impressive. There wasn't a primary ball-handler in the league that had a higher eFG% than Lavine in '20-'21.
Those numbers, along with his usage due to the addition of DeMar Derozan, dropped slightly in '21-'22, as he has shot 3*% from three and 53% from two, but those are still very solid numbers, especially given his role and how Lavine has to create most of those shots for himself.
Lavine is a force in transition due to his athleticism, and the elevation he gets on his jump shot allows him to simply shoot over defenders even when they are in decent position. He still isn't great at making plays for others, but he has grown in that area as he has gotten more on-ball reps.
Lavine is still a below-average defender, but showed some promise with his play in the Olympics. Playing for team USA. Lavine moved his feet well to fight over screens and keep his man in-front when defending the ball. Getting some additional play-making help from Lonzo Ball and DeMar Derozan has allowed Lavine to put more effort in on defense, and the Bulls were a successful defense when healthy during the '21-'22 season.
Lavine will still only be 27 when he hits unrestricted free agency for the first time in 2022, and I would expect him to get max offers.
Cap Considerations
Lavine will be an unrestricted free agent with a $29.3 million cap hold and full Bird rights. Since Lavine will have a large cap hold, the Bulls will not have any cap space unless Lavine leaves in free agency, so his cap hold isn't really relevant. The Bulls can offer him a 5-year, $212.3 million contract.
Other teams will be able to offer Lavine a 4-year, $157.4 million max offer. There's also a good chance he can get a player option and 15% trade bonus too. Lavine would be eligible for a no-trade clause if he re-signs with the Bulls. Lavine could also sign a shorter-term contract if he wants more flexibility.
Potential Teams: Bulls, Trailblazers, Knicks, Grizzlies, 76ers
Predicted Contract: 5-year, $210.5 million (5th-year player option) with the Bulls
Actual Contract: 5-year, $215.2 million (5th-year player option), 15% trade bonus, with the Bulls
As expected, Lavine returned to the Bulls on a 4+1 for the max. His number even came in a little bigger than I predicted due to the last minute update in the salary cap.
Last updated: 7/10/2022
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