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A key part of the deal that sent Jimmy Butler
to Minnesota in the offseason, LaVine has been steadily
increasing his basketball activities as he recovers from ACL
surgery. He has spent time in recent weeks practicing with the
Bulls and the team's G League affiliate.
The former Slam Dunk champion is now ready to return to game
action, with Paxson saying that he will play about 20 minutes
per game at the outset as the Bulls take a "conservative"
approach. LaVine also will not play in both games of Chicago's
one back-to-back before the All-Star break.
"I'm just happy to be back," LaVine said after shootaround on
Tuesday. "When I found out, I got a little bit of the
butterflies ... I got excited."
Adding the offensive firepower of LaVine, who was in the midst
of a breakout season in Minnesota when he was hurt, should help
ease the burden on Nikola Mirotic and standout rookie Lauri
Markkanen, not to mention fellow playmaker and former
Timberwolves player Kris Dunn.
LaVine averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per
game for Minnesota last season.
"We're excited and his teammates are excited," coach Fred
Hoiberg said. "We need to be patient with this process."
--Field Level Media
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