(670 The Score) Bulls guard Zach LaVine’s underwhelming, drama-filled, injury-plagued season is over.
LaVine will undergo season-ending right foot surgery, the Bulls announced Saturday afternoon. The decision to have surgery was made by LaVine and his Klutch Sports Group agency after consultation with the team, the Bulls wrote in a news release.
"After seeking additional medical opinions, in consultation with the Chicago Bulls training and medical staff, guard Zach LaVine and Klutch Sports Group have elected surgery on LaVine’s right foot as the next step in his recovery process," the Bulls wrote in their news release.
The surgery is expected to take place next week, and LaVine is estimated to be sidelined four to six months, which will end his season. Speaking Saturday evening just more than an hour after the news broke, Bulls coach Billy Donovan didn't yet know the specifics of what LaVine's surgery would entail.
LaVine had struggled mightily when he did play this injury-marred season, averaging 19.5 points on 45.2% shooting overall and 34.9% 3-point shooting in 25 games. All those figures were significantly down from LaVine's more efficient performances of the past three seasons.
"He made a decision that I think he thought was best for his health," Donovan said. "I really feel like he did everything he could to try to get himself back to playing. I think the discomfort in his foot was at a place where I think he just didn't feel like he had any chance of being himself and really contributing. And I think that was really frustrating and hard for him. So personally, I feel bad for him."
The news that the 28-year-old LaVine is headed for surgery came as he had continuously landed in trade speculation following the revelation in November that he was open to a change of scenery. With LaVine sidelined by injury, trade conversations about him will surely be put on hold until summer — or an even later date. Other than some interest from the Pistons, the Bulls had failed to find serious suitors for LaVine as they shopped him in recent weeks, due in large part to his onerous contract. LaVine is in the second season of a five-year, $215-million contract.
LaVine was initially sidelined by his right foot injury in late November and missed 17 games in that stretch before returning in early January. He then played in seven games upon his return before rolling his right ankle in his team’s win in Toronto on Jan. 18. His ankle sprain has healed, Donovan said recently, but his foot problem flared up again as he rehabbed the ankle.
In early December, LaVine described the nature of his foot injury.
“It bugs you, a boney, prominent area,” LaVine said. “You really don’t want to start messing around with that, that fifth metatarsal area and it gets more and more irritated. It’s just smart to calm it down now to where I can get back to 100% and hopefully finish the season strong and help everybody out.”
Unfortunately for LaVine, that won't be the case in what has been a lost season for him professionally.
Cody Westerlund is an editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund .
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