Zach LaVine has had a tough season dealing with foot and ankle injuries while trade rumors swirl about him possibly leaving Chicago.
LaVine was out for 38 days after the Bulls stopped him from playing on Dec. 6 due to inflammation on the outside of his right foot. The team set a recovery estimate of three to four weeks. an estimated recovery time of three to four weeks.
The Bulls went 10-7 without LaVine, going through a significant offensive transformation during a crucial point in the season, on and off the court. They have gone 5-2 since he returned on Jan. 5.
We’re keeping track of all the news about LaVine.
Jan. 19: LaVine out for at least one week with right ankle injury
LaVine’s return to the court only lasted six games before he hit a snag. He sprained his ankle in Thursday’s win against the Toronto Raptors and will be out for at least a week, according to Bulls PR.
This means he will miss Saturday’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies and may miss the entire road trip next week against the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles, and Portland Trail Blazers.
The injury happened when LaVine rolled his ankle after landing on the foot of Jontay Porter in the third quarter.
LaVine didn't waste time removing himself from the game and went to the locker room for treatment. He was visibly frustrated as he walked with minimal weight on his right foot, picked up a spare towel, and threw it at an empty chair on the bench.
For a moment, the Bulls seemed to have avoided a crisis when LaVine returned less than 10 minutes later and subbed back into the game with 5:30 left in the third quarter.
But that relief didn’t last long. LaVine missed two shots and assisted a 3-pointer from Patrick Williams in four minutes before he was taken out of the game. He didn't start the fourth quarter, then played for only 2:20 before being quickly replaced by Ayo Dosunmu.
After the game, coach Billy Donovan said that LaVine “wasn’t moving great” and couldn't get back to full speed after the injury. LaVine didn't score any points in less than seven minutes on the court after his initial exit.
The concern for the Bulls facing LaVine’s injury is twofold.
First, the team is already struggling to manage several injuries. Torrey Craig is still out with a sprained plantar fascia. Dosunmu (shoulder) and Patrick Williams (ankle) are dealing with issues that have kept them in and out of the lineup. Losing LaVine will be another setback, especially if his absence goes beyond the next four games.
But the bigger problem for the Bulls is how to generate a trade market — which has, so far, been quite limited — around a player who is having one of the lowest-scoring seasons of his career while struggling to stay on the court.
LaVine has been unselfish since his return, playing almost overly deferential as he averaged 16.8 points and 5.7 assists in the last seven games.
The trade deadline is three weeks away. Can LaVine stay healthy enough until then to convince another front office that he’s worth a big trade?
On January 5th, LaVine is dealing with high expectations as he comes back from an injury
LaVine is set to play his first game in 38 days against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. after recovering from a right foot injury. The Bulls managed to go 10-7 without him, partially offsetting their poor 5-14 start.
However, LaVine avoided discussing his status or the team's performance after a morning shootaround at the Advocate Center.
He stated, “My main goal is to simply get back to playing. If I let opinions affect me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I couldn’t care less about people's thoughts. I know who I am and what I do. I understand that I need to contribute to the team and help us win, so that's all I've been trying to concentrate on.”
When LaVine returns on Friday, it will be his first chance to adapt to the improved style of play that helped the team succeed during the 17 games he missed.
On January 3rd, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that there is 'no market' for LaVine ahead of his anticipated return on Friday
The stakes are high for LaVine if he comes back to play against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night for the Bulls.
Following a successful intense practice on Wednesday, coach Billy Donovan indicated that LaVine is on track to return on Friday. However, when he does return, LaVine will face immediate uncertainty about a possible trade away from the Bulls.
LaVine has been surrounded by trade rumors since November when he did not deny a report that he is open to being traded. This is the first time in his seven years with the Bulls that he has shown interest — indirectly through Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul — in leaving the Bulls.
However, finding a trade away from Chicago might be more challenging than expected. Ahead of Wednesday’s game, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated on “NBA Countdown” that there are currently no teams interested in trading for the Bulls.
Wojnarowski said, “There is currently no market for Zach LaVine. They may ultimately have to be satisfied with finding a team that is willing to take on his contract.”
The interest in LaVine remains a contentious issue throughout the NBA. USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt reported on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers continue to show interest in LaVine, who has been a topic of trade discussion since the beginning of the season. However, Wojnarowski and others in the league claim that no teams are interested in trading for the guard, ruling out potential trades to teams previously linked to LaVine such as the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat.
It's evident that LaVine has a lot at stake, whether he wants to stay with the Bulls or leave.
Before his injury, LaVine had the worst start to a season in his career. He averaged 21 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting a career-low 33.6% from 3-point range, struggling to ignite the offense. The Bulls saw improvement on both offense and defense almost immediately after LaVine's absence, prompting further questions about the impact he could have on other teams in the league.
The Bulls are having a hard time trying to trade LaVine because they gave him a $215 million maximum contract in 2022. LaVine would be more attractive to other teams if he had a more flexible deal, but there are few teams able to adjust their roster to make room for a top player, especially one whose status is uncertain like LaVine.
Donovan mentioned that it's not clear if LaVine will have a limit on his playing time when he comes back on Friday. Regardless, he needs to show two things with his performance: first, that he can still lead the Bulls' offense, and second, that he is a valuable player for other teams to consider before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
LaVine may return as soon as the home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Jan. 2.
Coach Billy Donovan said on Tuesday in Philadelphia that LaVine is set to return to the Bulls within the next week after responding very well to his first two days of contact practices with the G League's Windy City Bulls.
Donovan reported that LaVine's first two days of contact practice went very well and that he responded well coming back the next day. They are waiting to see how he responds the following day.
LaVine took part in a full practice with Windy City on Monday, followed by a lighter day of contact practice and training on Tuesday. He is expected to have another intense workout on Wednesday, followed by a lighter day on Thursday.
Donovan did not give a definite return date but mentioned that LaVine may be ready for Friday’s game against the Hornets at the United Center if he gets clearance from the medical team.
Donovan expressed that he doesn't want to rule out Friday for LaVine's return and that they were concerned about how he responded to cutting. He mentioned that LaVine responded well, and now they are ramping up.
Donovan expressed uncertainty about how many days the medical staff would want to see LaVine practice before he can return due to him being out for 15 to 17 games. He mentioned the importance of giving LaVine enough time to get his legs back under him.
The Bulls have a good schedule for LaVine to return in the next week, with three of their next four games at home before going on a weeklong trip to San Antonio, Cleveland, and Toronto.
If LaVine doesn't play on Friday, he could return for the road game against the Hornets on Monday, or the home games against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 10 or the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 12.
Donovan mentioned that he doesn't know the exact date of LaVine's return but stated that his progress and full contact practice is a very positive sign.
Jan. 1: LaVine starts contact practices with the Windy City Bulls
Zach LaVine is near to coming back for the Bulls after being out for 15 games with a right foot injury.
The two-time All-Star guard started contact practices this week with the Windy City Bulls — the team’s G League affiliate.
LaVine started increasing his activity on Dec. 26, checking how comfortable he felt when moving sideways and doing cutting exercises. After advancing through the last week without any setbacks, he will start practicing with contact with Windy City, which is the final obstacle before being allowed to return to play.
While LaVine has gone on the road with the Bulls for almost every away game since he first got injured, he will remain at home during a two-game trip to Philadelphia and New York this week in order to take part in those practices.
The Bulls seem to have figured out how to win with the current roster, but they have not yet seen how LaVine can fit into that style of play. And after starting the season in the spotlight due to reports about his interest in being traded, LaVine’s absence has only increased the importance of his status with the team as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.
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