The news broke Saturday afternoon that Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine will be undergoing season-ending right foot surgery. As a result, LaVine is expected to miss 4-6 months. This news broke suspiciously as rumors were escalating of the Bulls exploring a deal to send LaVine to the Pistons. Could the choice to undergo this season-ending surgery be a sneaky move by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports Group to prevent that?
Klutch Sports and Zach LaVine Opt to End Season
For the majority of the season, LaVine has been a popular name around the league as a trade candidate. It was no secret that the Bulls were exploring trading the two-time All-Star. Most of these rumors, though, involved the Los Angeles Lakers, and more recently, the Golden State Warriors.
Either of these destinations would be ideal for LaVine, the 10-year veteran who is looking to contribute to winning. While neither team is by any means dominant, adding a scorer like LaVine may be the missing piece to put them back into contention.
What LaVine probably didn’t have in mind as far as preferred trade destinations go was tanking teams. Even more specifically, probably not a team that is poised to have a historically terrible season.
The Pistons currently have a record of 6-43, on pace to have one of the worst seasons in the history of the NBA. Their rumored plan of course correction? Trade for LaVine.
Trade Rumors Ramped Up
Rumors of Chicago and Detroit had been ramping up as the upcoming trade deadline loomed over the league. The Bulls were reportedly interested in Pistons veteran Bojan Bogdanović and some young talent.
The Zach LaVine trade rumors to the Detroit Pistons are “real” ahead of the trade deadline.
(via Zach Lowe) pic.twitter.com/cum9o77MoX
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) February 3, 2024
With the trade deadline less than a week away and both the Bulls and Pistons desperate to make a move, this trade seemed to be heating up.
Enter Klutch
However, before anything further could happen, the news of LaVine’s season-ending surgery broke and seemed to shut down those rumors.
Bulls say Zach LaVine, in consultation with team and Klutch Sports Group, has elected to undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2024
In Chicago’s official NBA report, the team notably reported that this was a decision made by “LaVine and Klutch Sports Group”.
The news of LaVine’s surgery came at an interesting time. There was interest on both LaVine’s and Chicago’s sides for a trade, but nothing had yet come to fruition that seemed favorable.
LaVine suffered a foot injury that kept him out for 17 games in December and January. After returning for just seven games, he went out again with an ankle injury. Throughout all of that, there was no hint of LaVine possibly having to undergo surgery.
Then, a trade to the league’s worst team is rumored and all of a sudden his camp finds he needs to have foot surgery. Is it too much of a coincidence to be believable?
The Last Word: Clever Move, But Will It Work?
Looking at this situation with a critical eye, the choice for LaVine to undergo season-ending surgery seemed like a clever move to prevent a trade to Detroit. Perhaps if Klutch is able to keep LaVine in Chicago for a little longer, his trade value will eventually trend upward again and he will land interest from contenders.
The caveat? Chicago could still decide to trade LaVine if anyone would still be interested in him. It’s not like Detroit needs him right now or even this season. They could see the long-term benefits of him being next to Cunningham and company for the future. The irony of Detroit still making that move is enough to chuckle at the whole ordeal.
