Ankle injury for Bulls’ Zach LaVine reportedly ‘worse than grade one’

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is again expected to be sidelined for at least a week, likely more, after suffering an injured ankle. The injury is “worse than just a grade one” sprain, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

(Lavine) will be out at least the next one to two weeks,” Charania said on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back. “He’s got a sprained ankle, it’s worse than just a grade one.”

LaVine has been the subject of endless trade rumors since the start of the season. He already missed 17 games with a foot injury.

"[Zach LaVine] will be out at least the next one to two weeks. He's got a sprained ankle, it's worse than just a grade one."@ShamsCharania updayes on Zach's injury.

📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/tXPzH6gwbd

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 22, 2024

Both the Bulls and LaVine have been hoping for a trade before the Feb. 8 deadline, multiple reports suggest.

LaVine prefers to get traded to the Lakers, sources said, but it doesn’t appear as if that dream will come true. He is represented by Rich Paul, whose extensive client list includes Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Paul has gone on record saying he does not have a specific destination in mind for LaVine.

That may be a good thing, given that the market isn’t exactly robust for the UCLA product. There’s a sense he could remain with the Bulls not just this season, but beyond.

Lavine’s deal may indeed be a sticking point, per multiple reports. He signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. That means he is due $40 million this season and $43 million next. He will then earn $45 million in 2025-26. 

LaVine, 28, is averaging 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season, shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent on 3-pointers. 

He carries NBA career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.