Bulls’ Zach LaVine unbothered by latest unexpected trade rumors

NEW YORK — Zach LaVine took his typical pre-game nap Thursday afternoon and “woke up perfectly fine.”

In other words, he didn’t sweat Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

“Every name in this room has been mentioned in one way or another in their careers,” LaVine said. “It does not bother me.”

LaVine said that if something serious had happened regarding his future, his agent would have told him. And he didn’t even speak to his representative, Rich Paul.

“Rumors are rumors,” LaVine said. “If it doesn’t come from me, then it’s just shown to the world. I’m not worried about that. It’s funny to me.”

In the first season of a five-season, $215 million contract, this was actually a relatively quiet time before the deadline for LaVine, who has been more prominently mentioned in rumors in recent seasons. Several outlets, including NBC Sports Chicago, reported that the Chicago Bulls had no plans to pull their cores unless they were blown away by an offer.

But LaVine’s quiet Thursday changed somewhat when the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Knicks and Bulls were in talks about a deal centered on LaVine. A source downplayed those talks, calling them tentative and saying they did not take place this week. Another source insisted they didn’t happen, but pointed out that such an off-season scenario could be discussed once the Bulls see how this season ends.

“We’re not playing well right now. We are close to 0.500. That speculation doesn’t come out with winning teams,” LaVine said. “Last year that didn’t happen so I think as one of the leaders of the team and if you understand your positioning and the position of the team your name will be thrown in stuff like that. I understand who I am as a player on this team and I understand who I am and what I represent and also my worth, which other teams also see.

“I just know whenever I dress I wear Chicago Bulls and I’m happy with it. Going into the trading deadline I had no worries because I had no calls or speculation.”

Executive Vice President Artūras Karnišovas said LaVine is having a “great” season.

“He kind of started slowly just coming off the injury. But at the moment he’s been playing pretty well for the last two months and he’s definitely helping the team,” Karnišovas said. “I hope he continues to do that.”

So does LaVine, who said his focus is on making a playoff push.

“As long as I’m wearing this jersey, I represent Chicago,” he said.

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