Bulls coach Billy Donovan provided a health update on Zach LaVine after Wednesday’s practice, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. LaVine has been sidelined since November 28 due to inflammation in his right foot, but Donovan said he responded well to recent physical activity, which added “light cutting” on Tuesday to his regimen of shooting and straight-ahead running. The Bulls will continue ramping up LaVine’s workload, but there’s still no target date for him to resume playing.
“Even if he passes that part of it — and I’m not sure how many days of cutting it will be — it’s going to be more loads and more intensity,” Donovan said. “A lot of it for him right now is going to be structured, where it’s ‘cut here and cut here.’ The next step after that would be to have him start randomly cutting and moving without it being a directional workout.”
“I think he’s a lot happier now because at least he can get on the court and run and he can do some shooting and work out,” Donovan said. “That’s probably the most frustrating part. These guys are so wired and trained to work out and work on their shooting, work on their game all the time. When that gets taken away from you for a period of time, you want to get back in the gym and start working out. He understands there has to be a process that he has to go through to keep ramping up. But he’s been in good spirits.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Donovan told reporters that center Nikola Vucevic, who is sidelined with a groin injury, is “progressing and feels better today than he did yesterday,” Johnson tweets. Donovan confirmed that the team hopes to have Vucevic back within seven to 10 days.
- One of the most pleasant surprises of this season has been Coby White‘s development into more of a complete player, Johnson adds in a separate story. The fifth-year guard has been in a shooting slump lately, but he’s finding other ways to contribute. “A couple years ago, I always determined how I played off making or missing shots. I feel like that’s showing how much I’m working on my game. I’m showing I can impact the game without hitting threes,” White said. “I didn’t want to be one looked at just as guy who could get hot. Whether it’s getting downhill, getting to the basket or playmaking, I’m trying to impact the game.”
- Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times lays out an argument for why the Bulls should reach a contract extension with DeMar DeRozan, outlining his positive impact on the team’s young talent.
I wouldn’t mind at all if the Bulls did keep DeMar.
First, I’m interested to see what the Bulls can get back from trading LaVine. Then, after they get rid of the expiring contracts they’re going to have to likely take back in said trade, it’ll be interesting to see what they do to fill their roster around DeMar, Vucevic, White, Ayo, Caruso, and possibly Patrick Williams.
I like Terry’s skillset, but it just doesn’t seem like he’s confident enough and has developed enough to contribute on a regular basis. Although, Phillips looks like he could potentially be a solid role player off their bench. His defensive acumen is great. He just needs to work on his offensive game, and becoming a better cutter and finisher inside the arc.
Wouldn’t they be better getting out of their MID status? They’re currently first round exit in play offs at best, they have relative control of their drafting going forward and LaVine, DeMar and Vuc are not players you make a push with, but all have value, as well as Caruso Williams etc.
I would expect their fans to want to accept the experiment didn’t work and want to try a full reset. I get Nets not looking to go full tank because their next few picks are going to Houston, but Bulls should really give up move all their “big” 3 and Williams, Caruso then go asset chasing like OKC did. Then either see how White looks as the lead guy the rest of the year/ or trade him for more assets…… however try to avoid having a Pistons rebuild!!!!!
Nah, that’s gimmick mentality. The truth is the whole rebuild idea rarely, if ever, works. The best example is the Celtics and it’s been 10 years since their rebuild and they can’t get past the “MID” Heat.
It does though, OKC, ORL, HOU, Cavs. They all started building the exact same time or after Detroit and are all as good as Bulls 3-4 years deep. It’s not about getting a single high pick each year, it’s loading assets. OKC lucked out with SGA in their trade to start the rebuild, Orlando and Houston did the emphasis on multiple picks in their drafts. Getting Franz, Sengun, Eason etc from their 2nd choice picks. Cavs took a flyer on AS Allen and then traded for Mitchell. All are successful rebuilds…so far. Detroit used single picks in each of their 4 drafts and that’s their issue, Sasser is the exception and look how good he looks. Let alone bad FA and trading. That logic gives an 80% of being as good or better than now, with more younger assets.
And as for MID Miami, they turn into ELITE play offs Miami, thanks to Jimmy chilling all season ready for the off season.
Trade LaVine for draft picks. Actually I heard about a LaVine for DeJounte Murray, Patty Mills, and a 1st round pick was floated. I’m sure Atlanta is waiting on LaVine’s health. Coby White is ready to play full time and be the starer. I hope they trade LaVine for Murray then flip Murray for more picks.
The best bet is for the Bulls to trade Lavine to the Suns. Financially it would have to be Nurkic, Allen, Little, Okogie and Metu. KD and the Suns are the only team right now dumb enough to trade for Lavine. The reason would be to unload Lavine and get picks from the Suns. Hopefully they can get a third team involved, but that would be the core of the deal
Although Hornets could make a move. Lavine is a very valuable player with a really good facilitator, as we saw when Lonzo was healthy. The problem is, you can’t rely on LaMelo to be healthy either.
The most likely candidate is the Kings perhaps they could deal Barnes+Huerter+ picks (and fillers?)… Lavine is also has interest to the Kings because of them being a California team…
Pistons go ahead and trade for Lavine and Miles Bridges.
Would love to see the bulls extend derozan. My daughter rocks his jersey all around. A little tight now lol.
DeM DeR and Drummond-TO- Knicks ….
Fournier, Quickley, Grimes, Sims, #1 pick, 2nd rd pick
Why would bulls trade away drummond and take several guards? Bulls need more big. Ddr to knicks for fournier,hartenstein, and 1st.
You might want to look up Sims.
Drummond is playing 12 mins. Without the start he had 1gm. Yeah they need bigs.
Word you are looking for is PF, stretch4. Fournier is an expiring contract. He can help get you the PF you need.