The right ankle sprain that has sidelined Zach LaVine since January 18 is expected to keep the Bulls star on the shelf for at least a few more games, according to head coach Billy Donovan, who said on Thursday that LaVine will likely be reevaluated in a week or so (Twitter link via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago).
Asked whether LaVine will be out through the February 8 trade deadline and whether it’s possible he has played his last game as a Bull, Donovan couldn’t offer any guarantees either way.
“I have no idea. I really don’t,” Donovan said, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “There’s been nothing that I’ve had communicated as it leads into this trade deadline where it’s been, ‘Hey, he’s staying here’ [or] ‘We’re moving him.’ There’s been nothing like that. I’d hate to even speculate.
“I’ve always taken the approach that this is our team — taken the approach that he’s going to be with us the whole entire year, and I hope he can get healthy. . . . I go into it [believing] he’s going to be here for the rest of the season. That’s how I view it.”
While LaVine has been mentioned as a trade candidate for much of the season, reports have indicated that there hasn’t been any real market for him so far due to his oversized contract, his injury history, and his dip in production this season.
A report on Thursday suggested that the Pistons and Bulls have discussed LaVine, but Cowley and Johnson hear that those talks didn’t get serious. In fact, while the Bulls have had conversations with multiple teams about what it would take for them to trade LaVine, per Johnson, it doesn’t sound as if any of those discussions have moved beyond the exploratory stage.
While league-wide interest in LaVine could certainly increase if Chicago lowers its asking price, that hasn’t happened so far, according to Johnson, who says the team continues to seek a “strong return” for the two-time All-Star and isn’t looking to move him in order to cut costs or in an “addition by subtraction”-type move.
The Bulls, who got off to a 5-14 start this season, looked at one point like a candidate to hold a fire sale, but they’ve righted the ship since by going 16-11 since that poor start. With no market developing for LaVine, no indication Chicago wants to discuss Alex Caruso, and no recent rumors surrounding DeMar DeRozan, it’s unclear how active the club will actually be on the trade market in the next couple weeks.
Bogdanovic, Joe Harris and two firsts.
Just get it done and stop stalling.
That would be idiotic for Detroit. Personally I am standing by my prediction that Chicago isn’t moving him before the deadline. And at this rate he isn’t going anywhere until they change their ask.
Would be great for Bulls but even the Pistons aren’t that dumb. Lol
How on earth is that great for the bulls lol? That is a joke of a return and Zach sucks, Bog washed Harris washed 2024 draft pathetic, Detroit cap space and completely unable to sign anyone besides Marvin Bagley
Bog is washed? Do you even watch basketball? He’s averaging his second-highest ppg of his career and is shooting 41.7% from 3 (also second-highest of his career) on 7.3 shots per game. He’s playing great.
On a rubbish team
Bulls trade Lavine, Craig, Phillips and Taylor to the Kings for Huerter, Lyles, Davian Mitchell, McGee and Sasha V
Lavine, Craig and Taylor to Brooklyn for Spencer D, Royce O’Neil and Finney-Smith
Lavine, Craig and Drummond to Lakers for D Russell, Rui H and Wood
Lavine Craig and Taylor with three 1st to Atlanta for D Murray, Bogdanovic and Wesley Matthews.
Any of those?
If LaVine gets moved it will be for expiring contracts and future picks. His value is that.
Nobody will give them picks. They would be lucky to get a expiring contracts as well. He has been there for awhile and maybe they should keep him. The Bulls have not had a decent PG and PF all year and nobody talks about that. Trade Lonzo and Drummond(or Vucevic) for a PG and PF. Or trade Patrick Williams and see if you can find a PG and PF. They could trade everyone and start a rebuild too. Trade Ball, Drummond(or Vucevic) and maybe Patrick Williams and get a PG for once and a PF. Worst PG rotation out of all 30 teams this year and nobody says anything
Literally the trade I posted. Bogdanovic has only year left after this season.
I’m talking about Bogdon Bogdanovic and you are talking about Bojan Bogdanovic. The trade you mentioned would have to have the picks go to Detroit instead
Cool. So say hawks Bogdanovic.
I did say Atlanta plus I said D Murray, Bogdanovic and Wesley Matthews
Bojan, Stewart, and one of Morris/Burks/Wiseman for Zac. Thoughts?
Preaching, Zach isn’t bringing back multiple FRPs. He just doesn’t have any decent value
Capela instead of Bogdanovic*
No chance any if this happens especially the last one. We won’t fix hawks stupid trade for murray
Bulls don’t even have enough 1sts to give away lol
Well pistons are desperate.
This is going to be John Wall 2.0 sooner than later. Bulls should move him just to get off the money and stop thinking in terms of asset acquisition
If the Pistons are interested at all, take the Harris, Morris and Burks expiring contracts and a protected first and move on.
I said it before and say it again LaVine was not worth that Contract at all!
They should have traded him two years ago!
If the Pistons want him then trade him and get away from that contract!
How about the Hornets?
What do they have?
Just trade him and let’s play.
Also, for the person saying the Bulls don’t have a Point Guard, well White has been great!
The Bulls need a legit PF!
You must be referring to me. Say my name next time. White should be a sixth man on this team. Yes he has played great but a better PG or more experienced would be better. Come in for the PG and SG when Lavine is playing horrible. A change of pace PG. Yes they need a real PF out there.
Trade Ball, Drummond(or Vucevic) Williams and Carter for a veteran PG and veteran PF starters. Sign a young center
I don’t have to say anything and White is not a sixth-man.
You would play LaVine over White tells me enough because LaVine is garbage of defense and can’t carry a team.
The Bulls need a PF and Williams should be off the Bench.
A better coach is also needed!
What are you talking about. I said White should be the sixth man. I didn’t say he is the sixth man. I would play Lavine over White? I said I would put white in at SG in spot minutes. Lavine is a SG and white is a PG just in case you didn’t know lol. Are you drunk? How you register things tells me enough. Stop making things up.
I don’t mind if LaVine stays.Usually he plays better in second half of season.When he is tuned,there is no other player like him.People are funny to say just get rid of him for nothing
Pistons’s gm desperately needs some wins if he’s going to keep his place and lavine can help with this.
I predict one young player and a first along with salary fillers for lavine
Otherwise the gm won’t let me ve another off-season to use that pick anyway
LaVine for Jaylen Green ?
Jalen Green from Htown
Why would Houston want to trade Green? Young, very talented, under contract and in control of a contract for a long time.
What about a max extension next year then?
Sorry but he is just a 1×1 playground MVP that doesn’t play team BB …
All those high picks from the GLeague suck cause they play selfish for stats look how overrated Scoot was