Bulls head coach Billy Donovan made it clear to reporters on Friday that the decision to operate on LaVine’s injured foot was his and managing company Klutch Sports. Donovan had this to say to reporters at his Friday presser,
“He made a decision he felt was best for his health,” Donovan said before Saturday’s game against the Kings. “I really feel like he did everything he could to try to get himself back to playing. The discomfort in his foot was at a place where I think he didn’t feel like he had any chance to be himself. That was the really frustrating part of it.”
LaVine was rumored to be traded ahead of Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline, but that will likely not happen now. LaVine ends his disappointing season, averaging 19.5 points per game with 5.2 caroms and 3.9 dimes per game over 25 games this season.
Patrick Williams to be re-evaluated in 2-3 Weeks
Bulls forward Patrick Williams has been a valuable member of this group on both ends of the floor, but he’s been ruled out for the next few weeks with a foot injury. Williams does a little bit of everything for Chicago, and the Bulls have been playing .500 ball since his January 25 injury.
Losing Williams is a more significant loss than LaVine is for Chicago. Williams hustles and gives 100% effort for 48 minutes, whereas LaVine doesn’t always seem engaged with his teammates or when on the floor.
Bulls NBA Championship Odds Tumble
The Bulls’ odds to win the 2023-2024 NBA Championship were already long, but at best, +60000 at DraftKings is a longshot.
Chicago would make the play-in tournament if the season were to end today. That’s a good thing, but Chicago is playing .500 ball over their last 10. The majority of the second-half schedule is against their division mates, and their 3-7 record against the Central Division isn’t going to win an NBA championship.
Bulls To Make Playoff Odds Shrink
Chicago is currently +425 to make the playoffs at DraftKings Illinois and -600 to miss the 2023-2024 NBA playoffs. That would typically be worthy of a wager, but the Bulls’ leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, becomes an unrestricted free agent at the close of this season and could be traded by Thursday.
It might be better to wait and see what Chicago does before Thursday’s deadline. The Bulls are 13-11 without LaVine in the lineup, and they could at least make the play-in. If Chicago can make the play-in tournament, and they are a -230 favorite to do so at DraftKings, the Bulls have a 50-50 shot at making the playoffs, but let’s wait until Thursday before pulling the trigger.
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