Who Is Zach LaVine? Quick Overview
Zachary Thomas LaVine (born March 10, 1995) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA, known for his scoring ability and spectacular athleticism. He was drafted 13th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 NBA Draft and has played for the Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and — as of 2025 — the Sacramento Kings.
LaVine’s game blends perimeter shooting, slashing athleticism, and highlight-reel dunks, making him one of the NBA’s most exciting scorers over the last decade.
Zach LaVine’s Height & Physical Stats
One of the first questions fans always ask is:
How tall is Zach LaVine?
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Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters)
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Weight: Approximately 200 lbs (91 kg)
At 6’5″, LaVine has excellent size for a shooting guard and uses it to his advantage on drives, cuts, and defensive switches. His combination of height and vertical athleticism helped him win back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk Contests early in his career, establishing his reputation as one of the league’s top leapers.
His physical profile allows him to match up well with most NBA wings, and his height contributes to his versatility on both ends of the floor.
Shoe Deals — A Closer Look at LaVine’s Basketball Footwear Journey
Zach LaVine’s shoe story is one of the more intriguing off-court narratives in basketball culture. Throughout his career, LaVine has been linked with several major brands, reflecting his rising star power.
Nike Beginnings
LaVine started his NBA career under a Nike contract, wearing Nike basketball shoes during his first few seasons in the league. He even sported the Nike Hyperdunk shoes during his 2016 Slam Dunk Contest victory.
Adidas Contract
In 2017, LaVine made a notable switch by signing a reported four-year deal with Adidas worth up to $35 million. This partnership was intended to position him as a face of the brand after his early NBA success and dunk contest notoriety.
Sneaker Free Agency & New Balance
After his Adidas deal expired, LaVine entered what sneaker fans called “sneaker free agency,” wearing different brands until he found the right fit. Eventually, he signed a multiyear partnership with New Balance, positioning him as a key figure in the brand’s push into the basketball market.
Under this deal, LaVine has worn New Balance models in custom player-exclusive colorways, aiming toward potentially releasing his own signature basketball shoe with the company.
Summary of LaVine’s Shoe Deals:
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Nike (early NBA career)
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Adidas (mid career, four-year contract)
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New Balance (current multiyear deal)
Zach LaVine’s Contract Journey
LaVine’s NBA contracts reflect his evolving value as a scorer and All-Star talent.
Rookie Deal (Timberwolves)
After being chosen 13th overall in 2014, LaVine signed a standard NBA rookie contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, reportedly a four-year deal worth around $9.6 million.
Chicago Bulls Contract Extension
In 2017 LaVine was traded to the Chicago Bulls along with Kris Dunn and the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen in exchange for Jimmy Butler and rights to Justin Patton.
His breakout performances earned him a massive deal. In 2022, LaVine signed a five-year contract extension with the Bulls worth approximately $215.2 million, solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone at the time.
This extension averaged around $43 million per year, making it one of the most lucrative shooting guard contracts in the league.
Net Worth Impact
LaVine’s NBA earnings combined with endorsement deals contribute to a net worth estimated at around $70 million as of 2025.
Family & Early Life: Parents Who Shaped His Game
Understanding LaVine’s background offers insight into how he became such a dynamic athlete.
Parents & Athletic Family Roots
Zach LaVine was born in Renton, Washington to father Paul LaVine and mother CJ LaVine. Both parents were athletes: Paul played professional football in the USFL and NFL, and CJ was a softball player.
Growing up in an athletic household clearly influenced young Zach. His father often drilled him in basketball drills, including repeating three-point shooting routines that helped develop his all-around skill set.
High School Stardom
At Bothell High School, LaVine was known for his scoring and athletic ability, eventually committing to play at UCLA for one season before declaring for the NBA Draft.
Early exposure to elite sports and committed practice routines laid a foundation for LaVine’s NBA success.
Trade History — What Actually Happened vs The Mavericks Rumors
LaVine has been connected to several trade scenarios throughout his career. Some were real, like his 2017 trade to Chicago and 2025 move to Sacramento, while others were speculative — especially involving the Dallas Mavericks (Mavs).
Actual Trades
2017: Timberwolves to Bulls
One of the pivotal trades in LaVine’s career came in June 2017 when he was sent by the Timberwolves to the Chicago Bulls. The deal also included Kris Dunn and rights to Lauri Markkanen going to Chicago in exchange for Jimmy Butler and rights to Justin Patton.
This trade made LaVine the centerpiece of a Bulls rebuild and led to his breakout years as a scorer and All-Star.
2025: Bulls to Kings (Three-Team Deal)
In February 2025, LaVine was involved in a three-team trade between the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs. In that deal:
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Zach LaVine and draft assets went to the Kings
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De’Aaron Fox headed to the Spurs
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Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, and Tre Jones joined the Bulls
This trade marked a significant shift in LaVine’s career, moving him to a contending Western Conference team.
Speculated Mavericks Interest
NBA fans and commentators have long speculated about possible trades involving LaVine and the Dallas Mavericks — especially as the Mavs looked for shooting help next to stars like Luka Dončić. Reddit threads and fan discussions reference scenarios where Dallas could trade for LaVine, but no official Mavs-LaVine trade ever happened.
These discussions mostly reflected theoretical discussions about cap space logistics rather than confirmed trade negotiations.
LaVine vs Mavericks — What Fans Mean
When fans ask “Zach LaVine vs Mavs”, it usually refers to:
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Rumored trade fit next to Luka Dončić
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How LaVine’s skills would complement the Mavs’ offense
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Statistical matchups when LaVine plays against Dallas in regular season games
LaVine’s scoring and athleticism would theoretically make him an impactful scorer alongside Dončić, but defensive liabilities and his high salary made such a trade complicated.
What Sets LaVine Apart as a Player
Zach LaVine’s game is distinguished by:
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Scoring versatility (3-point shooting + finishing at the rim)
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Elite vertical athleticism
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Two NBA Slam Dunk Contest titles
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All-Star selections (2021, 2022)
While defense remains an area for improvement, LaVine’s offensive impact has made him one of the NBA’s premiere wings.
FAQs
1. How tall is Zach LaVine?
Zach LaVine stands at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and weighs about 200 lbs.
2. What shoe brand does Zach LaVine wear?
LaVine began with Nike, switched to Adidas, and is currently signed with New Balance on a multiyear deal.
3. What is Zach LaVine’s biggest contract?
LaVine’s most significant contract was a five-year, $215.2 million extension with the Chicago Bulls in 2022.
4. Who are Zach LaVine’s parents?
His father, Paul LaVine, played professional football, and his mother, CJ LaVine, was a softball player — both athletes.
5. Has Zach LaVine ever been traded to the Mavericks?
No official trade to the Dallas Mavericks ever occurred; Mavericks interest was speculation among fans.
6. What’s Zach LaVine’s current team?
As of 2025, LaVine was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal.
