Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
To some, this will feel like a callous decision from the Bulls. Moreover, it’ll feel like the wrong one, too.
It’s fair to say that the Bulls are selling low on Ball here, and that’s never ideal. On the other hand, they could save their 2022-23 season in the process.
After all, it’s not too difficult to imagine the sky falling in Chicago. With Ball’s status for the season in question, the Bulls feel like strong candidates to underperform.
Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan has to be nearing the end of his prime, and Nikola Vucevic might be, too. If their season gets off to a rocky start, who knows if Zach LaVine’s eyes start to wander?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz & Chicago Bulls Updates
Realistically, this comes down to how confident the Bulls are in Ball’s long-term health. If they believe he’ll bounce back, they should hold off on this deal.
On the other hand, if they’re pessimistic, flipping him for an elite floor spacing veteran and quality decision-maker like Conley could be a way to stay competitive in 2022-23.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz & Chicago Bulls Updates
Surely, they’d prefer another route, but they may not have one. Given his current status, Ball is unlikely to fetch much more than Conley on the trade market. Injuries are horrible, but they’re part of life in the National Basketball Association.
