Zach LaVine Thanks Bulls, Fans After Kings Trade: 'I'll Always Be Grateful'

Newly acquired Sacramento Kings star Zach LaVine addressed his departure from the Chicago Bulls and thanked the organization and its fanbase.

"It's tough to put into words how much this city and this organization have meant to me over the past 8 years," he said in a post on X. "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."

LaVine landed in Chicago ahead of his fourth season in the NBA, having been part of Jimmy Butler's trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves. While a member of the Bulls, he blossomed into a two-time All-Star and one of the better pound-for-pound scorers in franchise history.

The 6'5" guard averaged 24.2 points per game, which is the third-highest for a Bulls player, and he's sixth all time in points (10,056).

At the end of the day, LaVine's eight-year run may not be remembered all that fondly by Bulls fans, which is less about him and more a larger reflection of the organization.

The 29-year-old made the playoffs just once with Chicago, and that resulted in a first-round exit at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks after five games.

Under Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls had a firm on-court identity, stars for the fanbase to rally around, and consistent success from year to year. Thibodeau was fired after the 2014-15 season and it has been a downhill slide ever since then.

The LaVine trade probably didn't spark a ton of emotions aside from anger at the fact Chicago got little in return for its best player aside from salary relief, pretty much the same story from when the Bulls sent DeMar DeRozan to the Kings in a sign-and-trade.

LaVine wasn't spared from criticism as a member of the Bulls because no star player ever is. But there was always a tacit acknowledgement the team's issues went far beyond his contributions on the court.