In one of the most surprising moves of the NBA offseason, the Sacramento Kings offered Zach LaVine four years and $78 million. Even more surprising: Chicago matched it.
LaVine, 23, has shown promise. In his first season in Chicago, he averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. Still, few expected he would command nearly $20 million a year on the market.
Surprised reactions saturated Twitter.
LaVine doesn't seem too worried about all the attention and criticism he has received since news of the deal surfaced, though. He said he's "used to people sleeping on me," and he's using it as motivation.
Here's what he told ESPN:
The Bulls acquired LaVine as part of the Jimmy Butler deal in 2017. He spent the first three seasons of his career with Minnesota.