Amidst trade talks and rumors, Chicago Bulls superstar Zach LaVine has created quite the name for himself with multiple teams eager to acquire the player through means of a trade. However, the Bulls suffered a serious setback after the player picked up an injury that was far worse than it appeared to be.
With the injury, LaVine is expected to miss a significant amount of game time which is certainly going to affect the Chicago Bulls’ season and the possibilities of the player getting traded to the teams that had an eye on the star.
Zach LaVine injury update
Zach LaVine has become quite the cornerstone of the Chicago Bulls franchise, and his injury is a pretty serious cause of concern for the team who are struggling to stay afloat in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
Initially, much to the Bulls’ relief, the player was expected to miss only about a week of action. However, further evaluations of the injury brought to light the severity and the extent of the injury which only seemed to cause despair for the Bulls. Senior NBA reporter, Shams Charania explained the technicalities of the apparent injury which could see the star missing basketball for about one to two weeks.
Addressing the extent of injury, Shams said, “[Zach LaVine] will be out at least the next one to two weeks. He’s got a sprained ankle, it’s worse than just a grade one.”
According to analysts, a Grade Two sprain will require a recovery window of three to six weeks depending on the extent and seriousness of the injury.
This comes as a major setback for the player who was involved in multiple trade talks with various contending NBA franchises for whom the player would have been a perfect fit, considering his raw ferocity in the paint.
Zach LaVine trade rumors
With the trade deadline right around the corner, LaVine was one of the most passed around names with various teams by the Chicago Bulls who seemed to want to part ways with the star.
However, the player’s stock value was not as high as either party would’ve hoped as teams are hesitant to make moves for the player because of his lengthy contract which extends all the way until 2026. This could be a liability for teams if the trade does not work out. Apart from the technicalities, the other issues revolve around the star’s lack of defensive tenacity which more than often results in being a burden for teams.
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, there are not many teams calling to enquire about a trade involving Zach LaVine. This brings forward the possibility that LaVine will not be switching teams before the NBA Trade deadline comes to a close.
Woike said, “[Zach LaVine’s] name does not come up when I talk to people about Laker trades.”
The Lakers, who were frontrunners in the race for LaVine are in the market for a two-way defender, a player who can support the offensive rotation appropriately while being a stronghold on the defensive end of the court, and Zach LaVine does not really fit the description.
Although his playing style may be somewhat overlooked, the substantial duration and financial magnitude of Zach LaVine’s contract significantly diminish his trade value. As a result, it appears likely that the Bulls and LaVine will continue their relationship beyond the February 8 deadline.
What are your thoughts on Zach LaVine’s current situation? Do you think there are any teams that are suitable for him? We are eager to know your thoughts and opinions so feel free to comment below.
