Chicago Bulls 2017-18 player preview: Zach LaVine
Previewing the Chicago Bulls 2017-2018 roster, player by player. Today we’ll be previewing Zach LaVine.
As part of the Jimmy Butler trade, the Chicago Bulls acquired high-flying guard Zach LaVine from Minnesota. Despite suffering a tear in his left ACL back in February, LaVine looks to return improved for the 2017-2018 season.
Last season
Prior to his injury, it appeared as if LaVine was beginning to make a name for himself. Despite being known for his prolific dunks, LaVine was given more playing time and with it he made improvements taking a step forward.
According to statistics gathered by ESPN, LaVine went from playing 28 minutes per game in the 2015-2016 season to 37.2 minutes last year. With the added playing time, LaVine made notable improvements with his scoring. LaVine went from averaging 14 points per game in the 2015-2016 season to 18.9 this last year.
LaVine, who was Minnesota’s starting shooting guard, had emerged as a primary scoring option for the Timberwolves. Unfortunately, LaVine’s season was cut short due to a tear in his ACL which he has been rehabilitating since February.
What to expect next season
As of now and most likely throughout the start of the season, LaVine will still be recovering from the ACL tear. Despite the Chicago Bulls’ history of ACL tears throughout the Derrick Rose era, there’s a lot of optimism surrounding LaVine. LaVine is a hard worker and I believe he will return healthy and hopefully improved.
On the bright side for Chicago, there is no rush to have LaVine return to the court. Since the Bulls are in a very obvious rebuild mode this season, Chicago should and needs to allow LaVine as much time to recover as needed.
Similar to the Derrick Rose situation of years past, LaVine is a very athletic player who gives his all each game. Given the similarities, LaVine needs to make sure he is 100% ready to go when he returns to play. The Bulls only job this season should be to tank and to tank hard. They do not need LaVine on the court in order to do that.
What to expect from a healthy LaVine
With that being said, LaVine will return to the court at some point this season. Although it would be best for his return to be later rather than sooner. None the less, his return to the court this year is inevitable.
With the Chicago Bulls rebuilding, LaVine will be eased back into playing time. It will be a relatively quick process, but don’t expect LaVine to be thrown into the starting lineup immediately. However, being one of the key assets in the Jimmy Butler trade, LaVine will be thrown into the lineup and get significant playing time at some point when he’s ready.
By the end of the season, I expect LaVine to be one of Chicago’s key scoring options. If LaVine’s recovery goes well don’t be surprised if he’s putting up around 20 points a night for Chicago. LaVine is a very offensive minded player so he won’t be afraid to score.
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With a lot of young players, LaVine appears to be one of the most confident players offensively that Chicago will have. Assuming Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls reach a buyout, LaVine will enter the starting lineup at the two and as a primary scoring option.
In the end, it all depends on LaVine’s health. The primary goal should be to ensure LaVine is healthy in order to avoid another Derrick Rose-esque fiasco. If LaVine can return from the ACL tear a similar or more improved player, then LaVine will be an asset for Chicago offensively to build around for the years to come.