Zach LaVine To Undergo Surgery

Zach LaVine will be out for Game 5 of the Chicago Bulls' series with the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night due to Covid. But LaVine's troubles don't end there, as a report today indicates that he'll be having knee surgery immediately upon the conclusion of the Bulls season—which could come tonight, as they trail the Bucks 3-1. 

LaVine has been dealing with problems with his left knee all year, and a source told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that the 27-year-old 'will in fact have surgery almost immediately this offseason." 

Zach LaVine has been playing on an injured knee that’s ‘50% on a good day,’ per @JCowleyHoops

“the source said he will in fact have surgery almost immediately this offseason.” pic.twitter.com/vVyGnxZlr8

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 27, 2022

The source added that LaVine was operating at only 50% much of the season, and that "the maintenance of the knee the past few months was an all-day ordeal, and that there would have been a good number of All-Star-type players that would have shut it down for the season with all LaVine had to deal with."

Making matters worse for LaVine is that he heads into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, looking for a max payday. Cowley's been told, however, that the knee problem is not degenerative, and that it should not be a long-term issue. 

He also reports that the Bulls and LaVine will, "by all expectations" sit down at some point together to discuss a contract that will keep LaVine a Bull for a long time. 

The two-time All-Star, despite dealing with the bad knee since December, averaged 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and shot 39% from long-distance in 67 games. 

Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports