Zach is back.
Bulls vice president John Paxson announced to media members Tuesday morning that Zach LaVine will make his debut with the team Saturday when the Bulls play hosts to the Detroit Pistons at the United Center.
LaVine, sidelined since tearing his ACL last season while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, will play in his first game this season and his first game since joining the Bulls in the offseason trade that brought him and Kris Dunn to Chicago in exchange for Jimmy Butler.
"Him coming back to play is a conclusion of his rehab, meaning we're still going to take this conservatively," Paxson said. "We're going to look at this in week installments. He'll initially play 20 minutes per game. In talking with the coaches, we're not going to put him in a situation where we're saving minutes for end of games, anything like that. Fred (Hoiberg) and Jim Boylen and I are going to talk on Thursday about how the minutes will be distributed, but this is the continuation and ending of his rehab so that's kind of how we're looking at it. We're going to continue kind of a conservative approach with him. He's done everything at such top level getting back ready to play, and I know he's really anxious to."
His return to the floor is big news for the Bulls, who envision superstardom for LaVine. In 47 games last season prior to his injury, he averaged an eye-popping 18.9 points per game.
LaVine is known for his explosiveness, as well, a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champ. And according to Dunn, LaVine is already back to doing windmill dunks and between-the-legs throwdowns in practice. Bulls fans are hoping he can show that type of thing off in the games. He'll get his first chance in red and black Saturday.