Reports: Zach LaVine has questioned his role with Chicago Bulls at times as player and team grow further apart

Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls looked as if they were a team on the rise in the NBA after last season. So far this year, Chicago is trending in the opposite direction.

The Bulls were one of the league's most impressive teams throughout the majority of 2021-22, improving by 15 wins and breaking a four-year playoff drought. After briefly leading the East and posting a 26-10 record, the team was hit by an injury bug, the Bulls struggled down the stretch, finishing 46-36. With LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in the mix, Chicago looked to have a dangerous combination of offensive firepower on the perimeter.

Star guard Lonzo Ball was expected to be the connecting piece as the team's floor general. After blossoming in his first year with the Bulls, Lonzo suffered a knee injury and hasn't been on the court since Jan. 14 of last season.

Chicago (16-21) has been inconsistent, and tensions look to be high this season. According to Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson, star guard Zach LaVine has questioned his role with the franchise.

“I’ve sourced out that Zach privately has questioned his role standing amongst the franchise at times," Johnson wrote.

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Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls at crossroads

Zach LaVine has been a foundational piece for the Chicago Bulls organization. After starting out his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, LaVine took the floor for the Bulls during the 2017-18 season.

Since then, LaVine has been one of the top wings in the league. In his last two seasons with the Bulls, LaVine has been named to the All-Star team twice. During that span, he's averaged 25.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. He shot 49.1%, including 40.4% from 3-point range, in those two seasons.

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The Chicago Bulls invested their future in their star shooting guard. LaVine was given a five-year, $215 million extension this summer. The hope was that Chicago was trending in the right direction towards contending in the Eastern Conference for years to come. With Lonzo Ball still sidelined, the Bulls have struggled to regain their previous level.

Time will tell if LaVine and the Chicago Bulls can get back on the same page. With the NBA's February trade deadline inching closer, speculation around the league is sure to pick up. The Bulls are set to face the Brooklyn Nets (25-12) on Wednesday night before traveling to Philadelphia on Friday (22-14) to face the 76ers.