Zach LaVine, a prominent figure in the trade discussions, will not be participating in any games for the remainder of the season. The Chicago Bulls announced on Saturday that the guard will be undergoing season-ending surgery on his right foot. The projected timeline for his return is four to six months, effectively ruling him out until at least June.
The decision to proceed with the surgery was a collaborative effort between LaVine, the Bulls’ training and medical staff, and his representatives at Klutch Sports Group. This development eliminates one of the notable names from the trade market just before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8.
While LaVine had already been sidelined with his foot issue until after the deadline, there was an expectation that he would return shortly after if traded to another team.
Several teams had been linked to LaVine throughout the season, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons. However, concrete negotiations had not materialized by the time of the announcement.
LaVine, a two-time All-Star, has spent the last seven seasons with the Bulls and is currently in the second season of a five-year, $215 million max deal signed in the summer of 2022.
Despite the potential for a trade to clear the Bulls’ significant contract off the books, the team, currently at 23-26 and ninth in the Eastern Conference, seems unlikely to contend both in the present and near future.
LaVine has already missed 24 games this season due to foot, shoulder, and ankle issues, experiencing a decline in his on-court performance in various statistical categories compared to the previous season.
The Bulls, holding a spot in the play-in tournament, face the challenge of navigating the rest of the season without LaVine. The possibility of a trade, which could have alleviated the team’s financial burden, is no longer on the table, leaving the organization to address the situation in the offseason.
