Most trade talk for the Chicago Bulls has revolved around the availability of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. And rightfully so.
The two multi-time All-Stars have put together remarkable seasons, averaging some of the most efficient scoring numbers of their respective careers. Unfortunately for Chicago, they aren’t in a place to make use of that as they attempt to keep their 2025 first-round pick, which was previously sent to San Antonio with a top 10 protection. This is why it sure feels like it’s in Arturas Karnisovas’ best interest to capitalize on their strong seasons and find a trade partner. Not to mention, the longer the two veterans are on the roster, the less playing time to go around for the organization’s developing youngsters.
Nonetheless, while LaVine and Vucevic may dominant conversations, they aren’t the only ones who could make sense elsewhere. Lonzo Ball is right near the top of that list, especially as he continues to look a lot more like his pre-injury self.
Does Lonzo Ball Have a Trade Market?
Reports have stated that the Chicago Bulls are open for business, and I have to imagine they would listen extra hard if Ball’s name came up in any discussions. The 27-year-old guard is on an expiring deal and isn’t likely to stick around in Chicago past this summer. While he may still be on the younger side, the Bulls have young guards like Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu to worry about. All three are younger than Ball and do not come with anywhere near the same injury risk.
Likewise, I can’t imagine Ball would be particularly eager to stay in Chicago. Considering his health history, joining a playoff-caliber team sooner rather than later may be in his best interest. And who is to say that can’t happen as early as this trade deadline?
Ball has the kind of game that can fit in particularly practically anywhere. He has an extremely high basketball IQ to pair with an excellent catch-and-shoot jumper and reliable perimeter defense. Teams can either have him bring up the ball or play on the wing, and this kind of versatility can be invaluable come playoff time.
With that being the case, it’s not too shocking that Ball’s name recently came up in a conversation about one of the most “win-now” teams in the NBA. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha said on an episode of Hoops Tonight with Jason Timpf that the Lakers may be thinking about a reunion with their former lottery pick:
โI think Lonzo is going to be someone thatโs going to be on their [the Lakers’] radar, and I think โdepending on the price, if you could get him for a second or two seconds โ I think thatโs an interesting swing. And also someone with that six-foot-six frame that could potentially be similar to Bruce Brown, check a couple of boxes โฆ I think he is someone who is an interesting gamble for them.โ
You can watch the full episode of Hoops Tonight on YouTube here.
Buha didn’t go as far as to say that the Lakers have contacted the Bulls about Ball, but he sure made it sound like those are conversations that could happen over the next couple of weeks. Again, Ball can fit into almost any environment, but he would especially make sense in Los Angeles. He would provide some much-needed backcourt defense next to Austin Reaves, while also helping diversify a Lakers offense that makes the third-fewest threes per game and sits 8th in PACE, per NBA Stats.
If the Lakers want to add a potential difference-maker and avoid giving up significant assets, this would certainly be the kind of deal that accomplishes that. The Bulls would likely accept anything they can get for Ball, which could mean a mere second-round pick and salary filler. The Lakers currently own five future second-round picks.
At the same time, none of this means a deal would be easy to figure out. Ball still makes $21.3 million a year, and the Lakers could have a hard time matching that salary with their current contracts. A deal that sends Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Cam Reddish with draft capital would work, but Hachimura is still owed $18+ million next season. Would the Bulls be ok with adding that? Likewise, would the Lakers really want to give up the relatively reliable starter for someone as injury-prone as Ball?
The Lakers could also try to do something like Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish for Ball, but the Bulls would be doing them a significant favor in this case. Vanderbilt (who has yet to play due to injury) is in the first year of a four-year deal and Vincent is still owed $11.0 million next season. The Lakers would almost surely have to incentivize the Bulls to take on these contracts, which would require more draft capital and thus potentially defeat the purpose of going after someone on the cheaper side like Ball.
The real hurdle here, however, is staring us all in the face. Are we sure the Lakers โ or any time โ would want to take the risk on Ball? As good as he has looked in this comebacks season, he has played only 23 games and has averaged only 20.3 minutes per contest. The sample size is still extremely low, and the last thing anyone wants is to give up assets now only to have Ball in street clothes again come the postseason.
Indeed, this is why K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network reported in his most recent mailbag that Ball’s market has remained quiet.
โI personally to this point have not heard any interest in Lonzo Ball for this very reason โ he is still an injury risk. You donโt like to talk about this, itโs been a remarkable comeback story. But, for an expiring deal, youโre not going to get much assets for a guy who has had the injury history that heโs had,” Johnson said.
Few people are more tapped into the Lakers than Buha, so it’s possible their interest hasn’t made its way to Johnson’s ears. But this is probably also an indication that any Lonzo-to-the-Lakers talk is theoretical right now.
For what it’s worth, I do not think this will be the last time we hear Ball’s name in a rumor before Feb. 6, especially if he continues to play well. Everything he does on the floor can help a playoff team, and the mere thought of adding that could be too intoxicating for someone to turn down for cheap at the deadline.
Still, if I had to offer up a prediction, I’d imagine Ball finished the 2024-25 season in Chicago. Teams can wait to see if he ends the season healthy before making a run at him during unrestricted free agency. It’s a far less risky route.