Getty Images Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan
March 24 was a big day for Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine. He ended his sneaker free agency by signing with New Balance as one of the company’s featured athletes. LaVine previously had a four-year deal with Adidas that ended in October 2021.
LaVine cited New Balance’s willingness to invest in him and his interests as a reason for signing with the company, which entered the basketball shoe market in the early 1980s.
“New Balance is a brand that’s investing in me not just as a player but as an individual. I wanted to partner with a company that is equally passionate about supporting my interests beyond the court,” LaVine said in a statement. “New Balance’s creativity is making waves across hoops and I’m excited to join a roster of athletes that aren’t afraid to approach the game in their own way.”
Besides LaVine, New Balance sponsors NBA stars Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray and LaVine’s childhood friend Dejounte Murray. New Balance also released a new commercial with LaVine on March 24.
One More Free Agency to Address
After New Balance’s announcement of the deal, NBC Sports Chicago reporter K.C. Johnson retweeted the company’s tweet with a subtle message about LaVine’s impending free agency this summer.
LaVine, 27, has been great for the Bulls this season despite playing with a knee injury. This season he’s averaged 24.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. He’s also been efficient, shooting 47.9% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
This summer LaVine is expected to command a max contract that will land somewhere in the vicinity of five years and over $200 million. Bulls Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf said on the February 25 episode of the “Bulls Talk” podcast that the team is willing to go into the luxury tax for a championship-caliber team. He also spoke specifically about LaVine’s upcoming free agency.
“My hope is that he’s here for years to come,” Reinsdorf said. “And Zach knows how we feel about him.”
The Business at Hand
While the Bulls and LaVine certainly have things to consider this summer, they also have the rest of this season to focus on. The team has been on a slide, going 3-7 in their past 10 games.
The skid has dropped the Bulls to 42-31 and to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Chicago is now three games behind the Boston Celtics for fourth place and is just a game in front of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Furthermore, the Bulls are only two games ahead of the Toronto Raptors, who are currently in seventh, meaning they’d have to play in the play-in round.
The Bulls still have nine games left in the regular season and have a tough remaining slate. Chicago will play seven teams during the final stretch that are currently in the playoff field. That stretch includes matchups with the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Celtics.
The good news for the Bulls is they have started to get healthier. Patrick Williams and Alex Caruso have both returned to the lineup after missing extended periods. Chicago will have to get on the same page soon though if they want to make a postseason run.