Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine has missed the team's last 11 games due to a positive test for COVID-19. Fortunately, LaVine's symptoms were mild.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported Wednesday LaVine had already received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine when he tested positive.
Chicago's star 2-guard first entered into the league's health and safety protocols on April 16. It was unfortunate timing for the Bulls as they pursued a spot in the play-in tournament.
Indeed, the Bulls have struggled to compensate for LaVine's absence. Chicago is 4-7 since he went on the shelf, losing each of its last four games.
The Bulls now find themselves on the outside looking in. Chicago is four games back of the No. 10-seeded Washington Wizards with just seven games remaining. The schedule is not exactly amenable to a late-season push, as the Bulls have to play the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets (twice) in four of their last seven contests.
LaVine is slated to return Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets, but it might be worth wondering whether Chicago is better off holding him out for the remainder of the season.
The Bulls agreed to send their 2021 first-round pick to the Orlando Magic as part of the Nikola Vucevic trade. However, that pick is top-four protected. It might be enticing to keep LaVine out and let the chips fall where they may.
Then again, there are three teams below the Bulls in the East and three teams with worse records in the West. Chicago might not have the best chance of getting a top-four pick, anyway.
In any event, it's inherently positive to learn LaVine did not experience serious symptoms following his positive test.
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