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Zach LaVine (#8) of the Chicago Bulls dribbles in the game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, January 18, 2024. /CFP

Former NBA All-Star guard Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls will be out for four to six months after he undergoes surgery to repair his right foot next week, the team announced on Saturday.

Considering we're halfway through the 2023-24 regular season, LaVine won't make any appearance for the Bulls this season. Having played 25 games so far, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. The last time he competed on the court was on January 18.

"After seeking additional medical opinions, in consultation with the Chicago Bulls training and medical staff, guard Zach LaVine and Klutch Sports Group have elected surgery on LaVine's right foot as the next step in his recovery process. Surgery is anticipated the week of February 5. LaVine will be out 4-6 months. Updates will be provided as necessary," the Bulls said in a statement.

LaVine is in the second year of his five-year, $215 million deal, which he signed in July 2022. He has been involved in a lot of trade rumors as he and the team struggled in the past four seasons.

Jarred Vanderbilt (#2) of the Los Angeles Lakers looks in pain in the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, February 1, 2024. /CFP

The Los Angeles Lakers took also an injury hit. ESPN reported on Saturday that the team's elite defender Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a "significant" injury to his right foot. The purple and gold worried that he may be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Vanderbilt averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game for the Lakers this season, but basic stats didn't show what an excellent point-of-attack defender he is. The injury happened during Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics when he had no contact with anyone.

If the Lakers want to find a replacement for Vanderbilt, they need to act quickly because the NBA trade deadline is on February 8. The team has multiple contracts, with annual salaries ranging from $10 million to $17 million, to make trade packages, but they don't have many other valuable assets like future first-round draft picks.

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, January 30, 2024. /CFP

The Philadelphia 76ers may have the most to lose from Joel Embiid's injury and so does the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) as well. He was diagnosed with a displaced flap of the meniscus in his left knee, according to The Athletic. He will be out through the weekend and hasn't decided between resting and rehab or undergoing a procedure.

Embiid averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game for the 76ers this season. He only made one appearance in the past five games and his team lost four of them.

Embiid has already missed 14 games this season by Saturday. He will be disqualified for the regular season MVP Award if he sits out four more games, according to the NBA's new rules.

The 76ers are currently in the fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 30-18 record. Embiid is their leader in points, rebounds, free throws and blocks per game. Losing an ace like him will be nothing but a heavy blow to the team that hasn't appeared in the East Finals since 2001.