Chicago Bulls star deserves to be honored for his play this month

The Chicago Bulls have not been playing great basketball this season and are looking to be sellers at next month’s trade deadline.

One of the Bulls stars Zach LaVine might be one of those players on the move with garnering a lot of interest from teams.

Even though the Bulls as a whole have been playing terribly, LaVine has been solid offensively and has had a great month of January and should be in the conversation to be the Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

Zach LaVine should be the POTM for January

LaVine has been outstanding all season for the Bulls and is playing at an All-Star caliber level, but for some reason was snubbed from making the team. For the season in 41 games is averaging 24 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and is shooting 51.2% from the field and 44.4% from three.

In 13 games this month LaVine has averaged 35.6 minutes, 28.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals a game, and is shooting 53.5% from the floor and 44.4% from behind the arc. LaVine is the Bulls’ leader in points, minutes per game, field goals made, and free throws made for this month.

LaVine started the month of January with a six-game consecutive point streak in which he was scoring over 30+ points a game which came to an end in the Bull’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. In total LaVine has seven games this month in which he has over 30+ points and his best game so far came against the Sacramento Kings where he had 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.

This month could be LaVine’s last with the Chicago Bulls

Having such a great month not only puts LaVine in the conversation to be the Eastern Conference Player of the Month but it would also boost his trade value. The one thing restricting teams from pulling the trigger on LaVine is his contract with him being owed roughly $138 million for three seasons.

Teams may be willing to take on that contract given LaVine’s level of play this season and showing he is healthy with only playing in a total of 25 games last season. With the deadline almost two weeks away if LaVine keeps up this offensive pace he could boost his trade stock and give the Bulls a nice return if he is moved at the deadline.

This would be a good send-off for LaVine

If LaVine is indeed traded winning the Player of the Month for January would be a great present to send not only LaVine off with but be a nice goodbye present to give the fans.

LaVine has come out and expressed his desire to stay in with the Chicago Bulls which wouldn’t be a bad thing given LaVine’s production and still being younger than 30.

However, basketball ultimately is a business at the end of the day and with the Bulls possibly looking to rebuild moving on from LaVine might be the path they take.