Presentation by national insurance agent Jeff Vukovich
Two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine will rest his troublesome right foot for at least another week and will not be guarding the Chicago Bulls until after the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.
Coach Billy Donovan said after Friday's practice at the Advocate Center that LaVine's right ankle sprain has healed, but the inflammation in his right foot that caused LaVine to miss 17 games earlier this season has returned.
“It's still going to take some time because it's still causing him problems,” Donovan said. “The foot is inflamed and it will be another week before it is re-examined again. They are hoping that the inflammation will subside. We are all hoping that it will happen a little sooner. But it wasn't.”
LaVine returned from a 17-game absence on January 5 and appeared in seven games in the Bulls' 5-2 win before rolling and spraining his right ankle. That injury and subsequent rehabilitation process caused the discomfort in his feet to return again.
Here's what LaVine said on Dec. 7 about his lingering foot issue.
“It's the bony, noticeable parts that bother you,” Lavigne said at the time. “When you start messing around there, the fifth metatarsal area, it gets more and more frustrating. “Right now it’s smart to let it settle down to a point where I can get back to 100% and hopefully finish the season strong and help everyone. I want to.”
While some conspiracy theorists may link LaVine's injury to the trade deadline, LaVine has spoken publicly and privately about his lingering discomfort. Asked if that would be a season-long problem, Donovan said he didn't want to speculate.
“It depends on how he reacts,” Donovan said.
The Bulls and LaVine agreed in early November to try to find him a new home. Mr. Lavigne's trade market is not robust at the moment.
And while his elite play over the past three seasons has largely allayed concerns about his medical history, which included a torn ACL and subsequent arthroscopic surgery on the same left knee, this season has seen some rivals Executives began to question whether they would trade max contracts. It's worth it for players with lingering foot issues.
There is a growing feeling among rival executives that the Bulls would need to add another asset to move LaVine, something the Bulls have previously balked at, according to people familiar with the move. An alternative option is to simply move LaVine as a salary dump when his contract expires, but NBC Sports Chicago previously reported that the Bulls are not at that stage yet. Plus, of course, you need another team to make it happen.
The Pistons, who have been linked to LaVine, have multiple expiring contracts, so the trade calculation could work out for LaVine, who will earn $40 million this season and pay $138 million over the next three seasons. There is sex. However, multiple media outlets, including NBC Sports Chicago, reported that the Pistons have not yet made a final decision on whether they wish to move LaVine.
The stance is the same regarding LaVine's lingering foot discomfort and his trade market. “Please pay attention.”
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