Zach LaVine has opted to undergo surgery on his right foot and will miss the remainder of the season, the Bulls announced in a press release.
The decision to have surgery was made in consultation with the team’s medical and training staff as well as LaVine’s representatives at Klutch Sports Group. The operation will take place this week, and LaVine is expected to be sidelined for four-to-six months, according to the Bulls.
The 28-year-old guard was limited to 25 games this season due to lingering pain in the foot, along with a sprained right ankle. He hasn’t played since January 18.
The surgery should halt any immediate trade speculation involving LaVine, who has reportedly been on the market since mid-November. His injury issues have limited interest around the league, along with a pricey contract that will pay him $138MM over the next three seasons if he exercises a $49MM player option for 2026/27.
The Lakers were originally reported to have the most interest in LaVine, and the Pistons have been mentioned more prominently in recent weeks. However, any teams planning to make an offer for LaVine will likely wait until at least the offseason.
This marks the fewest games for LaVine in one season since he appeared in 24 during 2017/18 — his first season in Chicago — when he was recovering from a torn ACL. The two-time All-Star saw his scoring average drop to 19.5 PPG this year while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range.
well that squashes all the trade rumors for this year.
Don’t underestimate the stupidity of Troy Weaver. He might still give up Cade, Duren and multiple 1sts if he hasn’t had his nap yet.
That would be a mistake that would last for years.
For us Pistons fans, he’s the mistake that’s lasted for years
There is no parallel Universe where the Pistons trade Cade and Duren. You need to stop dreaming. Pistons have a ton of cap space. They will sign free agents this summer. They’ll probably make a run at Klay Thompson, DeRozan, Caleb Martin or Jrue Holiday. Possibly sign 2 of these FA’s.
Just a thought – wasn’t he actually traded TO THE BULLS while injured? Could happen again.
Yes, he had a torn ACL when he was traded.
The ill fated butler deal
Trading a young player with potential who was earning $3.2M a year when the Bulls traded for him, is not the same thing as trading a player who will make $43M next year. Throw in the fact that LaVine isn’t a leader, but just a shooter, then it’s highly unlikely.
Well that sucks!
Damn it
No trade for sure now ……..
Bulls should just go full rebuild. Move Drummond, DeM, Caruso now. Get ready for draft. You can move Vucevic next yr. Move Lonzo expiring contract if you can too.
Go for talent in trades and picks.
Agreed. All of their value is high as can be right now. Definitely need to hang onto Coby White though
meant young talent and picks.
They should, but they won’t. They also should have moved them all last year, but didn’t, and even re-signed Vucevic. Plus: they’re 18-12 in their last 30 games and the 9 seed in the East, with some of the teams ahead of them struggling lately (Orlando – 12-18 in their last 30; Miami – 2-8 in their last 10; Indiana – 4-8 in their last 12; Philly – lost 4 of 5 and possibly missing Embiid for a long time).
There’s a real possibility they make the playoffs somewhere in the 5-9 seed range. If they didn’t have such a horrendous start, they’d already be in that range. Plus, they have a better record without LaVine (13-11) than they do with him (10-15). I think Bulls management would love that and therefore won’t trade anyone away.
More like 10-8, maybe. Lonzo is out has more yr. Keep the young talent. Move LaVine next yr to Detroit. It’s a good place for him. Bulls can get young talent and a pick. It’s best to get a better pick. You can use it to trade. Otherwise it’s a one-n-done in playoffs.
At this point no one is trading for Lavine while he’s under contract and Chicago is going to have to bite the pillow on that one, along with Ball. Unless SVG came back to coach/GM Detroit – because he’s an idiot, they’re not moving assets for a player they already have in Cunningham.
“More like 10-8, maybe.”
They’re already 9th, Al, and that record includes their awful 5-14 start. I may turn out to be wrong, but if they keep playing like they have, they could easily be the 7 or better seed. Your boy DeRozan is playing too well for the Bulls to trade him.
Check the standings …. They don’t need to unload players …. They are set for a Play-In slot. Don’t have the assets to go into a full rebuild. Dalen Terry is their only draft pick the past two years. They have to ride it out.
Your post is sensible and realistic. As your post says, the Bulls have a good chance to be one of the play-in game teams. Last season, in their play-in game with Miami, inside three minutes the Bulls were up by three but lost. Then Miami goes all the way to the championship series. Though the Bulls don’t realistically have enough talent to compete for the championship, have to give the fans something to get excited about.
@Very Barry: we posted at the same time, but totally agree with your post. Note in my post above that the teams in front of them have been struggling, too. Bulls may even finish above the play-in seeds if they keep this up.
Trade gets them assets. Their players have value. What’s the point of 1st rd exit.
Al you are the one speaking sensibly here. This season is pointless, Lonzo will never play again, Zach is going to be useless until 2025 trade deadline (4 to 6 month rehab, with Bulls medical team I would favor the longer timeline), DeMar goes FA end of season, time to get value for bets and retool around the kids, they will learn more with playing time this year and probably still get the play in experience.
“What’s the point of 1st rd exit.”
I agree with you but we are talking about the Bulls Front Office. They should have unloaded DeRozan, LaVine, Vucevic, and Caruso last year or last offseaon, but they didn’t. And they have made the playoffs once in the last six years, so a 1st round exit would be an improvement and the FO would point to it and say ‘see? we’re getting better!’
Julian Phillips too
Moving Lonzo’s exp. contract would mean including draft picks or taking on more salary which would kill their ability to sign FA’s. Just cut him and expense his salary over 3 years.
Kyle Lowry incoming
So he can be their 4th string pg?
Would Bulls trade Caruso for Fournier and 2 picks? Or if Brodgan or Bruce Brown more realistic?
Bulls need to send out more salary to avoid paying tax, which Jerry absolutely won’t want to do. I have no idea who the other guy would be.
I hope the Knick’s don’t give 2 firsts for Caruso. He’s injured way too often although he’d be a perfect fit for NY. Garden fan favorite instantly
Why would you want an old player who is out of shape and way past his prime.
The best thing that could have happened to the Bulls with Zach LaVine. Perhaps his lingering injury issues led to his drop in play. Perhaps a fully healthy Zach LaVine returns next year, and plays like old self.
Think that LaVine and DeRozan don’t seem to mesh well. Maybe having two guys who both need the ball doesn’t work well. DeRozan’s contract is done after this season. Next season, maybe LaVine will be in a better situation.
This result is best for the team on the court, and the long term desire of the team to trade him for a net positive return. So, it’s hard to be surprised it has come to pass.
Money well spent!
I said he was injury-prone!
Well, maybe the Bulls can now flourish without him!
Still, they need a PF, so let’s see.
Bulls finally realized they won’t get anything for him and okayed the surgery. The fact they were shopping him while knowing he would need surgery is very suspect.
……..
DeM DeR is a FA. Makes no sense signing him. Better to get value for him now. Same for Caruso. His value is sky high right now. Ask yourself where are they going with Caruso. Best to get a young player and a pick.
Vucevic and LaVine can be moved next yr. With Alonzo’s expiring deal. Go young, it’s the right move.
Vucevic can be moved right now and his contract is not bad. Clippers and Warriors could use a nice big who can pass, shoot and rebound. Warriors would make the most sense.
Memo to Bulls management, sell, sell, sell!
Caruso and Drummond shouldn’t go anywhere. Trading them would be more than stupid. They are great role players on reasonable deals. They should get them some help. They should ask DDR where he wants to go and deal him there even if it means less of a return. The Bulls already have the worst reputation in the NBA for signing FA’s. There’s no need to make it worse. They should deal him rather than lose him for nothing. I don’t know if he’d come back, Or if they’d want him back, But why burn the bridge if you don’t have to? The Bulls are better without Lavine, But still if the goal is a championship you can’t let DDR walk for nothing.
So, do they pull the trigger finally and move everyone else? This thing is over. It was a good 1/2 season when they had everyone healthy a few years ago.
Get picks for DeRozan, Caruso, Drummond. See what you can get for Pat Williams and Vucevic and maybe use Lonzos expiring deal next year in a trade. Once LaVine is back on the court see if you can find a taker.
Rebuild. Time to move on.
Haven’t the Bulls been without LaVine all season? I haven’t seen him play any games. I guess when they pay you over $40M a year, you can’t expect much. Kobe at $11M a year is a bargain.
Lonzo Ball has a player option of over $21M for next season. What are the odds that he opts in? 101 percent?
Lonzo Ball? Of course he’s going to opt in. He really doesn’t matter one way or another. Worst case, he shows up in camp, Can’t play and they take the disabled player exemption again and collect the insurance. Zero risk. Best case is he can play and plays reduced minutes to save his knee and deal him at the deadline on an expiring deal. Thinking sideways they somehow use his salary in a trade for a guy with a big salary on an expiring deal they can use for next year. He’s not even worth talking about really. Considering he cost a 2nd round draft pick for violating the rules and played 3 months of a 4 year deal, I’d say he was the worst FA signing in history.