Chicago Bulls news: Zach LaVine recovering fast, could be ready for start of season

Zach LaVine’s ACL rehab is reportedly ahead of schedule, which could allow him to be ready for Chicago Bulls training camp.

Without much to look forward to in the immediate future, the Chicago Bulls just got some potentially exciting news: Zach LaVine might be ready to play much sooner than expected.

In fact, he might even hit the floor for the Bulls on opening night.

LaVine, one of the centerpieces of the team’s newly enacted rebuilding plan, dropped the news that his recovery from ACL surgery is ahead of schedule. While he has suggested this for some time now, he also threw in some extra news. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, LaVine thinks he should be healthy enough to participate in preseason training camp.

LaVine injured his left ACL February 4 against the Detroit Pistons and immediately had surgery. Though ACL recovery depends on the athlete, such injuries can take up to 12 months to recover from fully. And even then, as with Derrick Rose, you never know what a player will come back as (or if they’ll return when they’re supposed to).

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So when LaVine reportedly started running again sometime in May, I didn’t take it as a sign that he could return barely eight months after such a traumatic injury. But perhaps we underestimated him.

Early glimpse of the future

Should he actually be ready to play so soon, the Bulls will get a chance to see what their future looks like sooner than they thought.

For one thing, we’ll see if LaVine still has the athleticism that made him a two-time slam dunk champion. If he’s anything like what he was pre-injury, he’ll bring an element of athleticism the Bulls haven’t seen since Rose. Then again, if we’re being honest, even Rose couldn’t get up like this.

But more than just his high-flying brilliance, LaVine’s overall offensive game should intrigue the Chicago Bulls and their fans. Even when playing alongside two other stars in Minnesota, LaVine’s 18.9 points per game and almost 39% three-point shooting still stood out. What could he do as the guy in Chicago? Hopefully, we’re going to find out soon.

Don’t expect that LaVine’s presence will affect the Bulls’ overall outlook. They’re still not going to be a good team when it’s all said and done. He won’t stop them from being inexperienced or ultimately not talented enough to truly compete in the playoffs. On that score, even the awfulness of the Eastern Conference might not make them any more likely to succeed.

But it could give the Bulls a chance to more fully evaluate their roster and their future. And maybe, depending on LaVine’s health, they might revisit buying out Dwyane Wade sooner than expected. After all, he will take minutes away from their star of the future if he stays in Chicago all season. Furthermore, I would expect the Bulls to explore the chemistry between him and Kris Dunn. They showed frequently in Minnesota that they’re devastating when they run the break together.

Ultimately, even if LaVine ends up coming back a few weeks into the season or plays limited minutes early, his return should still spark a Chicago Bulls team that could be in for a tough year. Sure, we’ll hold our breath a little every time he jumps or falls down. But don’t let cynicism ruin the excitement.

Next: Why Kris Dunn could break out with Chicago Bulls

The Bulls might actually have just gotten some good news. Maybe this rebuild won’t be so miserable after all.