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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Chicago Bulls
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 05, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Case for return

Getting the Chicago Bulls back to a respectable point of contention in the East is a huge priority that Gar Forman and Jon Paxson actually seem to be working toward rather quick. And, there’s very little time left in this regular season, so as long as LaVine feels like he’s good to go, he should get his shot at returning soon.

If the Bulls want to ride out this promising starting five to the point where it could contend for a playoff spot next season, LaVine’s emergence needs to be a theme that has some continuity. LaVine could be the star that helps the Bulls rise in the East alongside power forward Lauri Markkanen and small forward Otto Porter Jr.

The Bulls finally have some solid pieces in place that are supporting a rising star that is also a natural scorer. Some of the peaks and valleys that LaVine has in his scoring numbers aren’t a great sign for his future consistency, but the Bulls have to bank on it for now. LaVine is scoring at a very rapid pace since the All-Star Break so that is important too.

No big name that teams out of playoff contention tried to sit this season worked out very well. When the New Orleans Pelicans were rumored to discuss to sit Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers thought about it with LeBron James, most NBA fans went up in arms. LaVine is a smaller name, but still deserves the right to return to make an impact for his team.