Chicago Bulls: 2017-18 NBA season preview

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 4: Dwyane Wade #3 and the Chicago Bulls talk in the huddle prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 4, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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Storyline 1: Can LaVine return to the level he played at prior to injury?

Out of the three players the Bulls acquired for Butler, the biggest unknown within that bunch is LaVine. Is this because of the scoring?

Nah, it’s not that. He averaged 18.9 points per contest. Is it due to shooting? Nah, he shot the ball at a respectable clip, converting 46 percent of his overall attempts and 39 percent of his attempts from distance.

The big asterisk has to do with health concerns. You see, LaVine appeared in just 47 games due to an ACL injury. Yep, the same type of injury that sent Derrick Rose’s career in a different direction.

Obviously, the Bulls will take their time with this situation to ensure LaVine is at 100 percent before making his return. The question is: Can this high-flying athlete return to the form that saw him put together an All-Star caliber season before going down with an injury?

If so, Bulls fans will breathe a collective sigh of relief. If not, the cries for the immediate removal of vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman will only grow louder.

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