Bulls' Zach LaVine to have knee surgery after season

With its season on the brink, the Chicago Bulls will take on the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night in Game 5 without guard Zach LaVine. LaVine entered the NBA health and safety protocols, making him unavailable for Wednesday night. 

However, missing Game 5 isn't the only news involving the 27-year-old.  

Joe Crowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that LaVine has been dealing with knee soreness that will require surgery at the end of the season. 

LaVine has been dealing with knee issues for the majority of the season. Maintenance for the knee has reportedly been an 'all-day ordeal' over the last few months. 

"And while LaVine wouldn't come out and say for sure he was headed for off-season surgery - likely a scope - the source said he will in fact have surgery almost immediately this offseason," Crowley wrote. "One scenario that had been ruled out, according to the source, was that the knee was degenerative and LaVine would be dealing with this long-term."

LaVine is in the final year of a four-year, $78 million deal with the Bulls signed in 2018. 

This season for the Bulls, LaVine averaged 24.4 PPG, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 67 games.  Over four playoff games, LaVine averaged 19.3 PPG, 6.0, and 5.3 rebounds playing 38.3 minutes per game.