Nikola Mirotic and Zach LaVine have not been cleared to play for the Chicago Bulls but both generated excitement among their fans after it was reported that the two players are already practicing with the team’s G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

LaVine hasn’t suited up with the Bulls since being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason, as he continues to recuperate from a torn ACL he sustained last season.

Mirotic’s situation is a bit tricky. While he’s close to a return, it’s interesting to see how well he would fit in with the Bulls once he receives a green light to come back. It could be recalled that Mirotic suffered facial injuries after teammate Bobby Portis punched him in the face during practice just days before the 2017-18 season commenced, and up to this point, the 26-year-old power forward has not spoken to Portis since the incident.

Mirotic’s absence, however, has been a sort of blessing in disguise for Chicago, as the Bulls have seen Lauri Markkanen rapidly develop in his first year in the NBA, capitalizing on the playing time afforded to him while Nikola Mirotic is out.