UPDATE (7/6/2018.): The Bulls will match the Kings’ four-year, $80 Million offer sheet to Zach LaVine, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
ESPN reports that the offer sheet has “some prior injury protection” on LaVine’s left knee where he suffered an ACL tear a year ago.
The following is the original Def Pen story:
Restricted free agent Zach LaVine has agreed to a four-year, $80 million offer sheet with the Sacramento Kings, according to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania. The offer sheet confirms early reports the Kings were looking to add the 23-year-old to their roster this summer.
LaVine, according to Marc Spears of ESPN’s Undefeated, is upset the Chicago Bulls front office did not make him an offer as lucrative as Sacramento’s.
“I’m disappointed that I had to get an offer sheet from another team,” said to the Undefeated. “But Sacramento stepped up and made a strong impression. It appears that Sacramento wants me more than Chicago.”
LaVine reportedly visited the Kings’ practice facility in Sacramento on Wednesday, where he met with general manager Vlade Divac and assistant general managers Peja Stojakovic and Brandon Williams. According to Spears, LaVine and Kings officials both felt that they were a “good fit” for each other.
The Kings, as currently constructed, are deep at the guard and wing positions with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, and Bogdon Bogdonavic all under contract. The crowded backcourt will surely make for some interesting lineup situations should LaVine become an official member of the organization.
Spears reports that Sacramento is attempting to play a more up-tempo style offense that features so-called “position-less” players.
However, Sacramento is loaded with young talent in the rookie forward Marvin Bagley III, the No. 2 pick in the June draft, guards De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic and frontcourt players Harry Giles, Willie Callie-Stein, Skal Labissiere and Justin Jackson. The Kings believe that this young core is part of a new brand that includes “exciting, up-tempo, versatile and position-less players,” a source said.
LaVine appeared for the Bulls in 24 games and averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and three assists last season after returning from a torn ACL.
The Bulls, who acquired LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Jimmy Butler deal last summer, have 48 hours to match the Kings’ offer sheet.
