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Zach LaVine and Billy Donovan don't talk about the rumors

Zach LaVine Did he play his last game with the Bulls on January 18 in Toronto? Victim of a sprained ankle that evening, the Bulls fullback has not played again since and it is not certain that he will be able to return to the floor by February 8, the date of the ” trade deadline”.

And considering the persistence of rumors about him, he could pack his bags by then. This uncertain future and the scenarios of a departure, Billy Donovan says do not talk about it with your player. “ I didn't talk to him about anything (related) with the rumors. Since he's been in the league for ten years, this kind of thing happens. The discussions I had with him were more focused on his frustration at being on the sidelines », Reports the coach.

The guard has missed 21 of his team's last 28 games. In his absence, the Bulls restarted their machine by winning 12 times (for 9 defeats).

Still nothing concrete

If he did not make a statistical splash during his seven games played in January (barely 16 points on average), some of which came off the bench, Zach LaVine experienced victory five times in this sequence.

A sufficient sample for the marriage between the two parties to endure? In any case, Billy Donovan assures that he will only be interested when the rumors turn into concrete discussions, in order to determine possible compensation. According to the Chicago Sun Timesthis is absolutely not the case at present.

This injury obviously does not make things easier, both for the completion of a transfer and for the state of mind of the player who will logically miss a third invitation to the All-Star Game. At least he can count on these exchanges with his coach to let go.

I don't want to use the word 'outlet' because that would be too strong, but just disappointment like 'I can't get through this'. He just wants to be on the field. He probably missed half the year or so », insists his coach whose team managed to win in his absence last night against the Blazers.

Zach LaVine Percentage Rebounds
Season Team MJ Min Shots 3pts L.F. Off Def Early Pd Party Int Bp Ct Pts
2014-15 MIN 77 25 42.2 34.1 84.2 0.4 2.4 2.8 3.6 2.1 0.7 2.5 0.1 10.1
2015-16 MIN 82 28 45.2 38.9 79.3 0.3 2.5 2.8 3.1 2.4 0.8 1.9 0.2 14.0
2016-17 MIN 47 37 45.9 38.7 83.6 0.4 3.0 3.4 3.0 2.2 0.9 1.8 0.2 18.9
2017-18 CHI 24 27 38.3 34.1 81.3 0.4 3.5 3.9 3.0 2.3 1.0 1.8 0.2 16.7
2018-19 CHI 63 35 46.7 37.4 83.2 0.6 4.0 4.7 4.5 2.2 1.0 3.4 0.4 23.7
2019-20 CHI 60 35 45.0 38.0 80.2 0.7 4.1 4.8 4.2 2.2 1.5 3.4 0.5 25.5
2020-21 CHI 58 35 50.7 41.9 84.9 0.6 4.4 5.0 4.9 2.4 0.8 3.5 0.5 27.4
2021-22 CHI 67 35 47.6 38.9 85.3 0.3 4.3 4.6 4.5 1.8 0.6 2.6 0.3 24.4
2022-23 CHI 77 36 48.5 37.5 84.8 0.6 3.9 4.5 4.3 2.1 0.9 2.5 0.2 24.8
2023-24 CHI 25 35 45.2 34.9 85.4 0.3 4.8 5.2 3.9 2.3 0.8 2.1 0.3 19.5
Total 580 33 46.4 38.2 83.4 0.5 3.6 4.1 3.9 2.2 0.9 2.6 0.3 20.5

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.

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