The annual NBA trade deadline is less than a week away and all eyes are on the Chicago Bulls, who have players that could swing the championship title race.
Players like DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond could be had for the right price though the same can’t be said for Zach LaVine.
Chicago and LaVine previously agreed to search for a trade for the star guard after the team struggled out of the gate.
Despite signing a max five-year deal with the Bulls, it’s clear that the fit for the two sides isn’t great and both could use a change.
However, LaVine’s 2023-24 NBA season came to an end when it was announced that he would undergo surgery on his right foot.
Fans had their fair share of reactions to the LaVine injury news via Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Zach LaVine is expected to have surgery during the upcoming week and miss a total of 4-to-6 months. https://t.co/ORe6buhLHm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2024
Zach has had a tough time staying healthy during his career
Hard to tell what the diagnosis was but regardless should be cleared to go for next year
Hard part is whether or not he will be the same player when he gets back
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) February 3, 2024
Bro saw them Detroit rumors💀
— KingsMuse (@kings_muse) February 3, 2024
He is definitely not being traded anywhere, dude is injury prone
— 23 💥👑 (@Br0nToLA23) February 3, 2024
No Bulls goodbye Tour I guess
— Mitch Donovell (@KobeKoufax) February 3, 2024
As some of the fans noted, LaVine was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons, though neither of those teams will look to engage Chicago in trade talks for the injured guard.
Meanwhile, LaVine’s injury history is now even more concerning as he’s undergone major surgeries on his knees and now foot.
However, this doesn’t mean LaVine’s career is over by any means but it should give teams pause if they consider trading for him in the offseason.
The former All-Star still has three years remaining on his contract and is owed nearly $49 million in the final year.
That’s a lot of guaranteed money for an injury-prone player, so it’ll be interesting to see how the two sides approach the summer.
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