Bulls star Zach LaVine has knee arthroscopy surgery
Bulls star Zach LaVine The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports (Twitter link). LaVine is expected to make a full recovery.
The news has been predicted, as Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times forward in late April that a surgical procedure was coming up after Chicago’s season ended. The Bulls made it to the knockout stages for the first time since 2016-17, but lost to the Bucks in the first round. It was LaVine’s first post-season appearance.
LaVine has had to battle with pain in his left knee for most of the season. He missed 10 games in January and February while dealing with injury until he got liquid flows out from his knee in early March, which is when he initially indicated that off-season surgery might be necessary.
Although LaVine says he feels he remains one of the best players in the NBA even when he’s at 70% or 80% of normal in March, a source close to the situation told Cowley. that LaVine is “more than 50% similar, and it’s a good day,” noting that the knee maintenance required to keep LaVine on the field is often a “day challenge.” “
According to Cowley, there is no feeling that LaVine’s knee problem is degenerative or that it will affect him long-term, so it is hoped that he will be able to get back to the way he was after the surgery. It should be noted that arthroscopic procedures are considered minimally invasive.
The 27-year-old is free to play without restriction for the first time this summer. Some people around the tournament were a bit surprised by comment LaVine released after the season ended, saying he was looking forward to the process and would delve into it “with an eye opener” and “looking at things”.
He also made no secret when asked if the Bulls were the club leader to sign him, which has led to speculate he can join again team after it was deemed a foregone conclusion that he would return to Chicago. However, a new deal with the Bulls seems like the most likely outcome, as they are likely to offer LaVine a expected $212.3 million over 5 years, while any other pool would be capped at a maximum offer of $157.4 million over 4 years.
LaVine has been an All-Star team for the past two seasons and appeared in 67 games between 2021-22, averaging 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the past two seasons. shot .476 / .389 / .853 despite facing a troubled knee.