Zach LaVine has spent the past few days in Minnesota spending ample time with a couple of his best friends – Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The trio that was destined to lead the Timberwolves back to prominence was broken up Thursday, when LaVine was part of a package traded to Chicago for all-star wing Jimmy Butler.

LaVine was in the Bahamas with his family when he received the call letting him know he was being dealt, but he wasn’t overly surprised by the news.

“Just like last year, you start seeing a lot of rumors,” LaVine said in a phone interview Sunday night. “The rumors don’t come out for no reason. They’re leaked on purpose or they’re stuff that’s happening. So you always prepare yourself. I was sitting in the Bahamas just chilling, and I got the call. I don’t have hard feelings for anybody. It’s business. I understand that.”

But aside from the business aspect is the personal one. LaVine had grown close with Wiggins and Towns over the past couple of years. LaVine said the three were possibly going to see a movie together Sunday night.

“This is pretty much the last time we’re going to be together like this, other than the offseason,” LaVine said. “In the offseason, we can still do the same things, kick it. We’re boys and everything. That’ll never change. But it’s going to be different for all of us.

“We’ve already been talking about it. We grew up with each other. Not saying we’re already the most mature men yet, but from 18, 19 years old to (now), that’s a lot of maturing and it’s big. So it’s going to definitely be different and change always takes time … but I love those guys to death, and our relationship will never change.” Related Articles ‘Home Teams vs. Hunger’ initiative aims to address Minnesota’s growing need

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But while personal reasons make the move difficult, LaVine is ready for a new professional challenge. He heads to a Bulls team that’s just starting a rebuild, and he will be at the forefront of it. The sharpshooting guard is the Bulls’ best young player. There’s responsibility with that, and LaVine, who’s proven himself to be one of the NBA’s best young scorers, is ready to accept it.

“I’ve always wanted to be an all-star, wanted to be a dude that can help lead the team,” LaVine said. “At Minnesota, it was us three young guys and we were all building each other up. Andrew and Karl were No. 1 picks, so this might be the first time that I get really more of the center stage. It’s going to be a little bit different. I’ve got to go in there and be a leader. I have to go in there and be someone that can lead a team and someone that can help out and try to build this place back up like we are trying to do here.”

LaVine stopped himself. It was time to switch to past tense when speaking about Minnesota.

“We were trying to do that here as well,” he corrected. “It’s still hard for me to even say that, but it’s a great opportunity. I feel like I’m ready for it. I feel like I’m that type of player, as well, and I’m going to prove that.”

LaVine is still working his way back after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in February, but signs suggest his recovery is ahead of schedule. Players often hope for the opportunity to be “the man.” LaVine likely wasn’t going to get that chance in Minnesota, but he will get an opportunity in Chicago.

“I take everything as a challenge,” he said. “I always keep everything in my back pocket that I hear and read, and you always use that for fuel. I feel like I’ve already proven myself as a good basketball player.”

To Minnesota, LaVine has nothing but gratitude. Here, he became a fan favorite with his high-flying heroics and contagious personality. He noted he’ll still be around the state – his family plans to continue to live here until his younger sister graduates from high school. LaVine said the Wolves and their fan base “helped me grow up.”

“Minnesota had some of the nicest people in the world,” he said. “I feel like the fans are always going to accept me. I feel like I’d just say thank you. The fans are what makes our game so relevant. They drive us to get better and improve ourselves, they cheer us on and they support us. So I just want to say thank you.

“I take away just growing up here, the first three years, that’s a big step for someone almost really fresh out of high school. … I’m always going to love Minnesota and what they did for me, and I hope they appreciate what I tried to do for them.” Related Articles ‘Home Teams vs. Hunger’ initiative aims to address Minnesota’s growing need

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Regardless of the Timberwolves’ fortunes, there will always be a lingering question in the minds of many. It was supposed to be the big three – Towns, Wiggins and LaVine – all growing up together, entering their primes together and, eventually, possibly winning a lot of games, and maybe even championships, together. That won’t happen now, but what could have been?

“It always comes down to that,” LaVine said. “It’s always what ifs, and I feel like you don’t ever want to live like that, but you always can look back later on in your life and be like, ‘What could have happened?’ But that’s not the way stuff happens, especially when it’s not in your control. We talked about having a future and all that type of thing, so it’s a little bit different, but you’ve got to move on, make the best of it, and I’m extremely excited. I’m really excited to see how this goes.”