Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Bulls face difficult decision with Zach LaVine nearing a return

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 1/2/24

Zach LaVine is closing in on a return to the Chicago Bulls rotation. The All-Star guard has missed the last 15 games with a foot injury. The Bulls have found some consistency in his absence, earning a 10-5 record. They were 4-14 with LaVine in the rotation to begin the season. As such, it wouldn't be surprising if Billy Donovan and his coaching staff were reluctant to re-integrate LaVine into the rotation.

Arturas Karnisovas' desire to build a championship-caliber team has always been clear. It's what led him to build the current version of the team's roster. If he believes that Chicago is a more balanced unit without LaVine, he will likely support Donovan if he chooses not to play the All-Star.

Zach LaVine Assigned To Windy City Bulls For Practice, Could Return Friday https://t.co/GUrcCOmAHN
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 2, 2024

LaVine has widely been expected to be available for trade ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline. However, his five-year $215.1M deal could prove to be a stumbling block in potential negotiations. The fact that Chicago has looked better without LaVine in their rotation is unlikely to have been overlooked by other teams around the league, too.

Donovan has a tough decision to make. He can re-insert LaVine into the Bulls rotation and risk their current strong performances being derailed, in the hope of putting him in a position to earn a trade elsewhere. Or, he can bench LaVine for the good of the team, at least in the immediate while Chicago is improving the outlook of their season.

Either option has significant drawbacks. LaVine earns too much to be sitting out of games that he's healthy enough to play. His 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 44.3% shooting could also potentially take the Bulls to a new level. Or, his presence could send the Bulls back to where they were to begin the season.

Still, after a torrid start to the year, the decision regarding LaVine is a good one to have. It shows the Bulls are progressing in the right direction. That's a win in itself.

More must-reads: