Bulls' LaVine to make season debut Saturday vs. Pistons

One of the Association's premier high-flyers is set for a return to action.

Chicago Bulls executive VP John Paxson announced Tuesday that Zach LaVine will be making his regular-season debut Saturday when the Detroit Pistons visit the United Center, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson.

The two-time Slam Dunk contest champion had hoped he'd be cleared to play Wednesday when the team is in the Big Apple to face the Knicks, but Paxson mentioned the Bulls wanted the him to have a few more practices under his belt first.

He'll initially be kept on roughly a 20-minute restriction. Paxson will also discuss with both head coach Fred Hoiberg and associate head coach Jim Boylen whether LaVine will start or come off the bench.

LaVine was ruled out for the remainder of the 2016-17 campaign last February while still a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves after being diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee, which he later underwent successful surgery to repair.

He was dealt from the T-Wolves to the Bulls prior to the NBA draft, along with Kris Dunn and a pick that became Lauri Markkanen, in a package for All-Star Jimmy Butler.

Talking to reporters Tuesday, LaVine said he had pushed to return two months ago, but the Bulls opted for a more cautious approach.

Selected 13th overall in 2014, LaVine averaged 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 44.5 percent shooting across three seasons with the Timberwolves.

He returns to a Bulls team that's lost five of its last six games, and sits 13th in the Eastern conference with a 14-27 record.