Billy Donovan and Zach LaVine's relationship is apparently "broken"

LaVine is reportedly uncommitted to play for Donovan since last year, per report.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

One of the key segments of Zach LaVine's trade saga in the Chicago Bulls is his relationship with coach Billy Donovan.

LaVine and Donovan have had a lopsided relationship throughout the years, and their notable spat last year served as the crucial point of their sketchy bond in Chicago.

This season, their relationship got questioned even more when it was reported that Donovan got “unhappy” upon knowing Zach’s peculiar action in the postgame of their dramatic win against the Miami Heat last November. While coach Billy already insisted that the concerning matter around LaVine was successfully "handled internally," it still undoubtedly left a sour impression on the head coach and the entire team

A Bulls PR person was trying to get Zach LaVine to do a postgame interview and he just completely ignored it. pic.twitter.com/lncJI7S7dm

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) November 19, 2023

A recent story says that LaVine and Donovan are not on good terms, despite what appears to be a casual vibe between the two.

Fractured relationship

Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the professional connection between LaVine and Donovan is basically “broken” already, most especially on the side of the two-time All-Star.

According to Cowley, Zach has been passive in pushing his efforts under the Chicago coach's leadership and has been unwilling to suit up for him since last season.

“Another source said that the relationship between LaVine and coach Billy Donovan, while still amicable, is broken from a professional standpoint, mostly on LaVine’s end. He would rather make ripples than waves but no longer wants to play for Donovan and really hasn’t wanted to since last season.”

What does it mean for LaVine?

This revelation made by Cowley added another conflicting layer to LaVine’s pledge of play in Chicago. Days after it was announced that he would be out for three to four weeks due to foot soreness, LaVine reiterated his commitment to the Bulls amid the trade speculations.

But if not for Donovan, the trade murmurs around him are forging clearer context about their appearance. With the head coach being viewed as safe from a potential reconstruction, it only leaves LaVine as the dispensable one.

Who Wants Zach LaVine?