Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine knee injury return smart?

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 10: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls warm up before the game on March 10, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 10: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls warm up before the game on March 10, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 10: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls warm up before the game on March 10, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 10: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls warm up before the game on March 10, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Amid some of the discussion that Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine could shut it down the rest of the way, he looked to have changed his mind.

What the Chicago Bulls are building with this young core in the starting five could actually be something promising. It could not be a much worse way for the Chicago Bulls to finish the regular season than with the momentum from this young core dying out before it can get rolling. There is a key decision boiling down now for a March 15 showdown between the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers to where shooting guard Zach LaVine could be coming back to the lineup.

One thing we do have to consider here is that this decision is not really the choice of a head coach like Jim Boylen for the Chicago Bulls. LaVine is going to do what he wants, unless this franchise is adamant about sitting him down for the rest of the regular season. What LaVine needs to keep in mind is what he’s playing for now.

Since the Chicago Bulls are so far out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference right now, and mathematically eliminated, risking unnecessary injury doesn’t make much sense. On the other hand, LaVine doesn’t seem like the type of player that would sit out even in this situation where he’s fighting the odds to accomplish anything.

LaVine was very outspoken to his cause to get back on the court after this knee sprain as soon as possible. Putting it all together on the floor before the end of this regular season could actually help this franchise in a big way moving forward.

Here’s a look at the definitive cases for and against Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen getting shooting guard Zach LaVine back into the lineup before the end of the regular season.