CHICAGO _ Multiple times, the Bulls have publicly said they didn't trade Jimmy Butler to lose Zach LaVine in restricted free agency.
At last summer's news conference introducing LaVine, his agent, Bill Duffy, expressed confidence a long-term deal will be reached with the Bulls.
Now comes the tricky part _ the negotiations.
"It's going to happen regardless," LaVine said. "I can only control what I do on the court."
In an interview earlier this month, LaVine said he's working toward a max contract when asked directly if he believes he's worth one. That contract would be roughly five years and $146 million.
It's clear from LaVine's confidence and his camp's knowledge of what the Bulls gave up to get him that if that isn't the exact asking price, it will be close.
"I'm not going to stop working until I'm an elite player in this league," LaVine said. "With that, you have to help the team. Your teammates have to help you. And we all have to be together."
Historically, the Bulls have taken a more passive than proactive approach regarding restricted free agency. Butler, who made an extra $50 million when he bet on himself, is the biggest example.
"Zach will have options," executive vice president John Paxson said. "Other teams can talk to him. The market dictates a lot (about) how things go. I think the market has tightened up a little bit the last couple years since the (salary-cap) spike. But we obviously value Zach a lot, and we think he's a part of our future. We have great faith in his ability. But he has the opportunity to explore things."
General manager Gar Forman will be the point person for negotiations. Few teams have the cap space to offer a max contract this summer.
"We'll have good communication with Zach and his agent," Paxson said.
