Chicago Bulls Firm On Keeping Zach LaVine For Long Haul

The Chicago Bulls are not exactly living up to expectations, especially considering the good NBA season they had last time around

They are in the 12th spot of the Eastern Conference with a 10-14 win-loss card and anything is possible.

But like struggling teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat, it cannot be avoided that NBA trade rumors are in the air.

As far as the Bulls are concerned, several names are being dangled in potential trade scenarios–Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan.

Of those names, LaVine strikes a bell.

He signed a five-year, $215 million contract extension in the summer so trading him away may not make sense.

To put a lid on these insinuations, the Bulls have reportedly made it clear that they are not interested in dealing away the two-time All-Star.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN claimed that LaVine is not up for grabs in the network's pre-game show as he was discussing scenarios involving the New York Knicks.

"The Knicks will be watching Chicago. Is Zach LaVine a player who before the deadline possibly can become available? He certainly isn't now," Wojnarowski stated.

Hence, this means the Bulls are not inclined to lean on tanking this season, at least not yet.

With that being said, the same case may hold for DeRozan and Vucevic.

There is no doubt that LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic are key pillars for the Bulls.

In addition, there is still time for them to make a run at the playoffs although it may be difficult.

Adding to their woes is the absence of Lonzo Ball.

The 25-year-old remains sidelined and is making slow progress on his knee rehabilitation.

Ball continues to experience pain in his knees, something that the medical staff has been trying to figure out.

Despite this claim, expect the NBA rumor mill to continue to speculate about potential trade scenarios.

Unless perhaps a huge name is offered to the Bulls, their three stars are likely to stay put for now.

However, the case could be different if NBA teams have their eye on other players in the Bulls' fold.