LATEST NEWS:The injured Bulls guard Zach LaVine will miss at least three more games since he won’t be back before the NBA trade deadline.

Chicago – Zach LaVine won’t be back with the Chicago Bulls in time for the NBA trade deadline on Thursday. LaVine will miss at least three more games, according to coach Billy Donovan, who stated on Friday that the star guard will need to recover for at least another week before the team’s medical staff reevaluates him. LaVine hasn’t played since he sprained his ankle against the Toronto Raptors on January 18, but according to Donovan, the ankle has healed. The right foot swelling and soreness that resulted in the player’s first 17-game absence is the injury that is currently keeping the maximum-contract standout out of action.

“He’s still got inflammation there, it’s still causing problems,” Donovan stated. “So it’ll be more time.” LaVine’s foot and ankle ailments have kept him out of 22 out of 49 games (45%) this season. Before he suffered his first foot injury, the Bulls were 5-14; after his absence, they improved to 10-7. After LaVine returned for seven games, they went 5-2; in his absence, they have gone 3-3 in the previous six games. Donovan claimed that he has not been told by the medical professionals whether LaVine’s injury may be more serious.

Donovan remarked, “It’s difficult for me to speculate.” “When I receive the medical update, I don’t really inquire as to how long it will take. They simply inform me that his foot is swollen, say another evaluation will take place in a week, and I sort of go on.” However, it is evident that LaVine will not make a comeback before the trade deadline, which may indicate that this is his final game wearing a Bulls uniform. Since November, the Bulls have been investigating trade possibilities for LaVine; however, this has been largely ineffective since the team has not been able to find partners who are only interested in LaVine.

The Bulls may need to offer more assets in order to transfer LaVine, according to NBC Sports Chicago, since early rumors of interest from organizations like the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers have cooled off recently. The Bulls might hold firm at the trade deadline for a third straight year if they don’t trade for LaVine, which is uncommon for most clubs in the league.