Bulls’ Zach LaVine Out at Least 1 More Week With Ankle Injury, Billy Donovan Says

Julia StumbaughJanuary 26, 2024

Mark Blinch/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine will miss at least another week due a right ankle injury, head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Thursday.

At that point, LaVine will be reevaluated, Donovan said.

LaVine was sidelined for Thursday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. The guard has now missed three consecutive games after injuring his right ankle on Jan. 18 against the Toronto Raptors.

The injury occurred during LaVine’s seventh game back from a right foot injury that sidelined him for 17 games earlier this season.

When asked if LaVine would play again before the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline, Donovan said, “I just don’t know,” per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported earlier this week that LaVine’s injury was “worse than just a grade one” sprain.

The injury news could further hamper the Bulls’ rumored attempts to trade LaVine.

The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III reported Thursday that the Bulls have talked with the Detroit Pistons about a potential trade.

The Bulls wanted a hefty package in return for their two-time All-Star, Edwards III reported. That would have included Bojan Bogdanović and one of either Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey or Jalen Duren.

The Pistons “have shown no interest” in parting with any of those young stars, Edwards III said, but could consider trading for LaVine “when/if the Bulls’ asking price goes down.”

The Bulls have five more games between Friday and the trade deadline. If LaVine is sidelined for each of those, a total of 26 missed games this season could be the catalyst for a lower asking price.

The 28-year-old’s durability isn’t the only issue with a potential trade. Even when healthy, LaVine’s production has dipped this season, as for the first time since his 2018-19 campaign he is averaging fewer than 20 points per game. He also has a lower net rating on the court (-5.4) than when on the sidelines (0.8).

The biggest obstacle to settling on a deal will be LaVine’s contract. Not including the rest of the 2023-24 season, LaVine has three years remaining on his $43 million AAV deal, including a player option worth nearly $49 million in 2026-27.