The Chicago Bulls have been predicted to trade point guard Lonzo Ball this season by an NBA writer. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks the Bulls could trade Ball for a veteran ball handler since Ball will miss his second straight season.
“There are plenty of veterans on rebuilding teams who could improve the Bulls’ shot at winning games this season,” Bailey wrote. “Those teams could be interested in moving closer to the bottom of the standings and the draft asset that would likely come back from Chicago with Ball.”
Ball has undergone three surgeries on his left knee. The former Los Angeles Lakers guard hasn’t played in a game since January 14, 2022. Ball won’t play this season after undergoing a cartilage transplant in his left knee in March.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls Updates
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 26-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Bulls in 2021-22 in 35 games while shooting 42.3% from the floor, 42.3% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
Ball has career averages of 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists with the Lakers, Pelicans and Bulls. Some people don’t believe Ball will play again, but the UCLA product thinks he will prove his naysayers wrong.
“It’s motivation for me because there’s been people that have been counted out,” Ball said. “For me, it’s about getting back and doing what I want to do and love to do, which is play basketball.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Bulls missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2022. The team signed Jevon Carter and re-signed Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu in the offseason.
White is the current starter for the Bulls at point guard, but Chicago could use a pass-first guard to set up Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. That was Ball’s specialty and the Bulls have struggled to win games without him.
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