NBA Market Share Report: Don't Be Late to the Luka Doncic Party

Make Way for Zach LaVine

What’s for real and what isn’t? What kind of play can last 82 games, and what kind of play is just a flash in the pan? It’s the best part of hoops discussion when you’re relying on early-season stats and small sample sizes.

One such stat line that’s up for debate: Zach LaVine ranks third in the league (behind Blake Griffin and Stephen Curry) with 32.2 points per game.

With Kris Dunn out for at least the next month with a knee injury, Lavine has inherited more of the ball-handling duties in Chicago, which has worked well so far. It’s still too early to determine what kind of vehicle the young Chicago Bulls are (probably some mix of dangerously fast and unreliable), but LaVine would seem to have the keys to the car with nothing but green lights ahead.

His springiness and athleticism have returned, allowing him to pave way to the basket, and he’s shooting 57 percent from the field (40 percent from deep!), resulting in nearly six-times value in each of his first four games.

While scoring more than 30 points a game isn’t sustainable, LaVine’s situation sets up well on a nightly basis. On a young Bulls team that’s likely to be playing from behind often, as well as an approving nod to go ahead and do his thing, LaVine in the $7,000-$8,000 range is solid while it lasts. Even above $8K, he could be worth it in the right matchups.

The Bulls visit Charlotte and Atlanta the next two nights before hosting the Warriors and Nuggets next week.