January 3: LaVine’s practices have gone well with no setbacks and he could return on Friday against the Hornets, Donovan said on Wednesday (Twitter link via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps).
January 1: The Bulls have assigned guard Zach LaVine to the G League for his first contact practice since he was shelved by a foot injury in late November, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
As Johnson explains, seeing how the foot responds is LaVine’s final hurdle in his recovery process, with a return possibly coming as soon as Friday against Charlotte if the two-time All-Star doesn’t experience a setback.
The team decided to keep LaVine and fellow injured teammates Nikola Vucevic and Torrey Craig back in Chicago while the Bulls traveled to Philadelphia to begin Tuesday’s back-to-back road trip against Philadelphia and New York, Johnson adds. That will give LaVine more practice time with Windy City, Chicago’s NBAGL affiliate.
“I like having those guys on the bench just with their voice. I think it’s always good. But their health is the most important thing and getting the back to play,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “There’s more that they’ll have access to (in Chicago) because they’re all at a point where they can really do stuff on the court. . . . It’s a lot easier for them (in Chicago).”
According to Johnson, while the Bulls have gone 10-5 since LaVine last played, his coach and teammates are “adamant” that Chicago’s improved play is merely a coincidence and he can help the team win.
LaVine, of course, is one of the high-profile players who has been involved in trade rumors for several months. A healthy and productive return to the court could be a catalyst for a deal, with his market rumored to be limited to this point.
“I like having those guys on the bench … ”
The W/L record is in line with that.
DeM and Drummond >>>> to Knicks ….
Not a chance.
LaVine and Vooch need to be traded.
Zach to lakers, vuc to suns
Why are you still pushing for DDR? I thought you just made the big deal?
Knicks aren’t done. And this wasn’t a big deal. It was a reorganization. It’s a big deal for Raptors. If you follow ball you’d know.
Al follows balls!
What would Knicks offer to Chicago? I think it was a more realistic chance before the og trade. I think New York made the right trade.
Knicks have a trade exception from OG trade. They get Drummond that way. He’s leaving next yr. 2nd rd pick.
Knicks trade for Alavine. Knicks have poor shooting, Alavine is a quick decision making scoring guard who can become the go-to closer. Brunson is great on D and passer but inconsistent scorer unless it is layup.
No.
I feel like this is gonna be a long term thing…have him put up huge numbers in the minor leagues to help his trade value. We’ll see…
just practicing, no games.
The Bulls are doing better because when LaVine left the Bulls started passing the ball. When LaVine comes back and it goes to him the first time it’ll either get launched or driven to the hoop and turned over by some crazy shot. With LaVine gone everybody moves the ball. When he’s back it will be like that Twilight Zone I just watched where the little kid disappears into a hole in the bedroom wall. Addition by subtraction.
Watch them be afraid to trade him…