Bulls guard Zach LaVine is expected to be sidelined for at least one-to-two weeks after sustaining a right ankle sprain on Thursday vs. Toronto, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The Bulls officially confirmed that LaVine will miss at least a week, tweets K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
After exiting to the locker room when he initially suffered the injury in the third quarter, LaVine returned to the bench and tried to play through it for a few minutes in the fourth, but was hampered. Further testing on Friday revealed the sprain, says Charania.
It’s an unfortunate setback for the two-time All-Star, who missed 17 games earlier this season with a right foot injury and only returned to action two weeks ago. Now, he’ll be out at least another week or two with an injury on the same foot.
LaVine has been one of the more prominent players mentioned in trade rumors this season, though the three years and $138MM remaining on his contract beyond this season have reportedly suppressed his market value. The fact that he’s injured again just a few weeks before the February 8 deadline almost certainly won’t help matters on that front, either.
When Chicago was struggling early in the season, LaVine faced criticism for his perceived selfish play and that only intensified when the Bulls played pretty well without him (they were 10-7).
However, they’re 5-2 since LaVine returned to the lineup on January 5, with the 28-year-old playing far more of a complementary offensive role in averaging 15.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 5.3 APG on .487/.390/.810 shooting in that span. For context, LaVine has averaged 25.1 points on 18.6 field goal attempts per game over the past five seasons, compared to 15.6 points on 11.1 shots over the past seven games.
With LaVine out, players like Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter and Patrick Williams could receive more minutes. It’s worth noting, however, that Williams is dealing with a right ankle issue himself and head coach Billy Donovan said it could be an injury that lingers for the rest of the season, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
If Levines scoring was his second best attribute his game would be next level. If he focused on D or passing just that much more… [he’s minus 10 in his scoring. But could balance them with rebs and assists] and we look at stats too often for an individual. I mean that the team would average more assists. The team would rebound more… these things are more infectious than pure scoring. Can’t deny his ability to get a bucket. But he can push his team in many ways still
He almost reminds me of Tony Parker. He could excel offensively and struggle defensively or the other way around. Would hit key shots at times as well. LaVine on the right team and being a third option, could do him well. Maybe Houston Oladipo or Landale, Bullock, and draft pick for LaVine. Anything more, is too much.
Well …… this means he’s staying. It’s best for Bulls. Get his value back up.
Imo Zach needs a real PG to max out. He’s a premium scorer. So a guy that gets him the ball. Makes it easier for him to score. You get the most out of him. It’s all about fit and chemistry. And yes he has to at least play team D. A good coach can get that out of him. I still think he’s valuable in the right system.
He has moments where he has looked competitive and competent on D…
I just don’t think he’s ever had a coach coach him the right way for him to take it as seriously as he needs to…
Sure he had Thibs whose known as a defensive mastermind, who struggles with the human side often… As we saw with the Timberwolves…
Sometimes with these talents it’s the methods of the message that matter more than the methods being taught…
Al, in case you haven’t seen any Bulls games lately, Coby White is looking more and more like a ‘real’ pg, and he is finding the open man. Zach has looked good but still is a bit poor in decisionmaking, especially in defense. I hope the Bulls find a home for either him or DeRozan (I don’t want to get you started) before the deadline because they just can’t play together. Donovan is staggering their minutes as much as he can, but late in games it really hurts their ability to close the game as both of them are not great defenders.
I do watch a few Bulls gms. Cause I’m the guy that wants DeM. Coby is much better now. But is not a prototype PG. He’s a scoring PG. He needs someone like CP3. Even playing with Bron. Who knows how to play towards his strengths. Zach can score. So he’s been allowed to just play. Sort of like Wiggins before he got to GS. I still believe he has value in right system. Even with a healthy Ball he would be better. Zach is a scorer first. If he’s scoring he’s into the gm. Winning and contending. Is a whole other step.
Stevp-4 : trade ddr 1st.i like him more than lavine,but he only has 1 year left and i believe he will ask more money.not worth for his age. But i love if bulls trade both. Build around coby.add more big.patwill isnt pf.
Admire Coby for stepping up and really improving his game. A good all around player. Having said this, don’t think Coby is anywhere near SGA or Donovan Mitchell. Don’t think a team should build around Coby.
Just about a lock to remain a Bull…
If Bulls trade him for pennies on the dollar now it’ll take them years to recover…
Not as if Jerry cares either way as long as the payroll is reduced…
Trade zach lavine for Adam lavine and he’ll do every halftime show at the united center until 2034
Zach lavine is: The Maxed second Stringer!
The Bulls are clicking right now they’re 15-9 over the last 24 including 5-2 with LaVine. I don’t know may they should just concentrate on winning more games and not worry about trading LaVine and DeRozan. They’ve got 8 games before the trade deadline, they should at least see what they got cookin’ for another week before making a move.
The wins have mostly been against poor teams or good teams missing top players. They looked pretty bad against some of the teams, just don’t seem to be able to establish a style and such with it. They have the talent, just don’t seem to have v the discipline, that is why Lavine is actually the face of the franchise.
Vucevic and Carter for Chris Paul and Saric
Bulls have no plan.
Three team trade. Lakers trade D Russel, Rui H and JHS and Wood to Chicago, a pick to Atlanta. Chicago trades Zach Lavine and Drummond, Taylor and a pick to Atlanta, Craig to the Lakers. Atlanta trades Murray, Capela and Wesley Matthews to the Lakers
That is probably the only trade of Lavine that makes the Bulls worse defensively…didn’t think that was possible. You make Reinsdorf cry because he has to pay an extra player.
Lol. No
Might as well give lakers trae and demar while you’re at it