Less than 48 hours after the Chicago Bulls joined a blockbuster deal to send Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, the veteran scorer has said his goodbyes.
LaVine sent a heartfelt message to the city and fans over social media on Tuesday morning. Alongside a short video that featured some of his many highlight-worthy jams in a Bulls uniform, the two-time All-Star shared the following message:
“It’s tough to put into words how much this city and this organization have meant to me over the past 8 years. Chicago, you’ve welcomed me with open arms, and the memories we’ve created together will stay with me forever. The fans here are unlike any other—you’ve made playing in Chicago a true honor, and I’ll always be grateful for your support.
To my teammates, coaches, and the entire Bulls staff thank you. You’ve all played a huge part in my growth, both on and off the court.
As I take on this new chapter with the Sacramento Kings, I’m excited for what lies ahead, but I’ll always carry the love and appreciation from Chicago with me. Thank you for everything. Let’s keep pushing forward. #LightTheBeam“
You can check out Zach LaVine’s video that accompanied his message below or via his Instagram here.
Zach LaVine Moves On
The success Chicago Bulls hoped to see with Zach LaVine in the building never arrived, but the journey is still one that will go down in Bulls history. LaVine departs the franchise as the all-time leader in three-point makes and sixth on the all-time scoring list. He currently ranks behind only Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Love, Luol Deng, and Jerry Sloan.
LaVine was only 22 years old when he joined the organization as a key piece in the Jimmy Butler trade with Minnesota. He bounced back from an ACL tear to surpass the expectations many had for him coming out of UCLA. Whether it be his long-standing professionalism or continuous on-court improvement, you could genuinely tell how much he appreciated putting on a Bulls jersey. Did times get rough? Sure, but he always represented the team with class.
In many ways, I’m glad things were able to end in the way they did. He came into this season fully committed despite all the off-court rumors and put on one last show for fans at the United Center. I sincerely hope he can keep that going as he starts a new journey in Sacramento.
Best of luck, Zach!