Bulls guard Zach LaVine won’t be back on the court before next Thursday’s trade deadline.
Speaking today to reporters, including K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link), head coach Billy Donovan said that LaVine’s right ankle sprain has healed, but he’s still feeling discomfort in his right foot and will require at least one more week of rest.
The star guard has missed the Bulls’ past six contests after being sidelined for 17 games earlier this season due to a right foot issue.
“It bugs you, a bony, prominent area,” LaVine said back in December about his foot pain, per Johnson (Twittter link). “You really don’t want to start messing around with that, that fifth metatarsal area and it gets more and more irritated. It’s just smart to calm it down now to where I can get back to 100% and hopefully finish the season strong and help everybody out.”
LaVine will likely require a ramp-up period to get back in game shape even if his foot is feeling better in a week, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s held out through the All-Star break. The Bulls’ last game prior to All-Star weekend is on February 14 in Cleveland.
Of course, it’s possible that LaVine has played his last game as a Bull and will be on a new team by the time he’s ready to return, given that he has been involved in trade rumors all season. However, his value was already down this season due to his dip in production, his maximum-salary contract, and his injury history — a nagging foot issue won’t do anything to improve his stock on the trade market.
In more positive Bulls injury news, forward Torrey Craig appears to be on the verge from returning from the right plantar fascia injury that has kept him on the shelf since December 16. Donovan said today that Craig practiced in full and could be available on Saturday if he feels good during Chicago’s shootaround (Twitter link via Johnson).
Anything is possible. But I’d put the odds of LaVine being traded by the deadline at under 1%.
Bulls are the Wizards of the Midwest, unserious organization, sometimes has ok players
The East is full of owners just there for the profits…
Vucevic and Carter with cash for Chris Paul and Saric
Why would bulls do this?
For a veteran PG in Paul who could turn it around (expiring contract they can choose Paul or Ball next year) and Saric who is a real PF while Drummond can take over the C full time. Turn Williams into a SF and White as the sixth men. Plus Vucevic is declining.
PG. Paul SG. Lavine SF. DeRozan PF. Saric C. Drummond. SF Williams and PG/SG White as sixth men
Luke: no way bulls do this.bulls need real pf,but not saric.he is bench player.coby white as sixth men? R u kidding? He is bulls best player.still inconsistence,but better than zach or ddr. Bulls should trade away ddr 1st,not vooch.
LBHJ If they trade DD then they should trade all the veteran starters and rebuild real quick. Trade DD, Zach L, Alex Curuso, Vucevic and Drummond for young guys, picks plus expiring contracts. Trade Ball next year
LaVine is far worse than White and injury-prone!
If anyone is the Sixth Man it is LaVine and not White!
The Bulls would be better off unloading LaVine, Vooch, and DeMar, playing White, Ayo, Williams, and AD, and grabbing a PF, picks, and bench help.
LaVine is a Sixth Man on a good team and not a starter!
Turn what around? They have zero chance of winning the Finals. Zero.
Playoffs
What’s most remarkable is that absolutely no one saw this coming. If only someone had warned the Bulls front office years ago…
Luke-305 for DXC, straight up
Realsox for Fox in socks, straight up
Boy knows its the end of his career,trying to cash out,don’t think he is interested to play basketball at all
Detroit could be a good place for Lavine. I’m Bulls I’d want Wiseman included. Bulls can get a decent haul from Pistons.
Hayes, Wiseman, Stewart, Harris plus a pick works. Harris a FA to be ……
A proven vet scorer makes Pistons better right away. LaVine as #1 option is what he needs. Plus they are not going with Hayes or Wiseman. Stewart can be the PF for Bulls. Wiseman can still be that dominant center. I’m Bulls I do it.
Look how far the bulls have fallen. Lavine is totally overpaid. Bulls have fallen in love with bad contracts.
Bulls are going to have to GIVE picks to get rid of LaVine.
Wow, what a shocker… I notice that with Reinsdorf led orgs, their players with boat anchor contracts always seem to get hurt before a trade deadline. Personally I think its more “What?! I may be traded to somewhere with accountability and expectations? Ouch, my , oh darn, I will not be healthy until after the deadline”
I get that injuries happen but with this guy you have to wonder if there is more there.
Well it appears LaVine is going under the knife for his foot so I feel silly for questioning his effort, but it is definitely bad timing and I guess the Bulls are just cursed.