Well that didn't take long.
The Chicago Bulls plan to match the four-year, $78-million offer sheet that guard Zach LaVine received from the Sacramento Kings on Friday, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Bulls have 48 hours to match the offer, which reportedly includes injury protection on LaVine's left knee and carries no team or player options.
The 23-year-old was the cornerstone acquisition that Chicago received upon moving former franchise player Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves last year. He only made 24 appearances in his first season in the Windy City, though, as he had been recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered in February 2017.
He averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 27.3 minutes when he did compete but shot a career-low 38.3 percent from the field - 7.6 percentage points lower than the year prior.
Of the 269 players who attempted 300 or more field goals in 2017-18, LaVine's shooting percentage ranked 13th from the bottom.
LaVine told ESPN's Marc J. Spears that he was "disappointed" he had to receive an offer sheet from another team. "It appears that Sacramento wants me more than Chicago," he said.
Chicago is coming off a 27-win campaign, marking the organization's worst showing since 2004. Nonetheless, the Bulls' willingness to swiftly match Sacramento's offer proves they see value in the four-year pro and his fit as part of a young core featuring Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, and draft pick Wendell Carter Jr.
