Bulls Teammate Comes to Zach LaVine’s Defense As NBA Trade Rumors Swirl

Zach LaVine has played with many teammates throughout his 10 NBA seasons, but Coby White is his longest-tenured running mate since joining the Chicago Bulls. 

That’s why it was noteworthy when White recently spoke about LaVine and the rapport they have. Most importantly, it debunked a few random narratives that get tossed out as trade rumors swirl around a player like LaVine.

While White had several positive things to say about LaVine, the two points that jumped out most related to the fact that neither he nor his backcourt mate “have egos” offensively. White also praised LaVine for being unselfish and focusing on doing what’s best for the team, as NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson revealed.

“The main thing about us is we don’t have the egos to where it’s like, ‘I want the ball.’ We want to win. Whoever has it going, it is what it is. He’s not the type of guy or selfish enough to come to me and say, ‘Yo, give me the ball.’ That’s not who he is. He’s a winner. He is going to do what’s best for the team. And for me, it’s the same way,” White told Johnson.

Although various opinions about LaVine’s fit in different trade scenarios have been tossed out, his mentality as a scorer has always been at the center of the conversation. But White’s comments about playing alongside LaVine highlight the mindset of a player focused first on winning, not his own scoring.

The Bulls guards have played together since White was drafted in 2019, so it’s hard to debate with a player who’s shared the court with LaVine for what’s going on five years now. Although that stretch may end soon, LaVine’s trade status will remain under a microscope, along with where he lands if a deal does come together. But maybe his fit with another NBA franchise won’t be nearly as much of a concern as many seem to believe.