The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Chicago Bulls have already made one trade by sending Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings.
The Bulls still have a few pieces left on their roster in Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, and Coby White, who have all drawn interest from teams.
As the Bulls enter their rebuild, they may look to extend one of those players past this season instead of trading him at this Thursday’s trade deadline.
The Chicago Bulls could look to extend their shooting guard Lonzo Ball
The Bulls are fully embracing the rebuild after trading away their star guard Zach LaVine. Now that LaVine is gone, the Bulls will need to identify key contributors on the roster to build around. Currently, the Bulls have Josh Giddey, who is emerging as a viable facilitator, averaging 6.6 assists a game, good enough for 12th in the NBA.
According to NBA Correspondent and Insider Marc Stein, even though the Bulls have received interest in Ball, they don’t appear to be ‘eager to trade him’ per his report.
“The Bulls have received trade interest in Lonzo Ball all season but sources tell @TheSteinLine that they have not been eager to trade him and are resistant to buying Ball out if he remains a Bull past Thursday’s deadline.”
The Bulls have received trade interest in Lonzo Ball all season but sources tell @TheSteinLine that they have not been eager to trade him and are resistant to buying Ball out if he remains a Bull past Thursday's deadline.
More from @JakeLFischer and me: https://t.co/f3fN5f8S8s https://t.co/zzSECZCvpu
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 4, 2025
Ball is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, and if he is to stick around, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Ball in his career has shown flashes in his career as being a player that be can lead a team.
During his time in New Orleans, and even his first year in Chicago, Ball showed he can score close to 15 points a game. The further removed Ball gets from his knee injury, which sidelined him for two years, Ball could get back to that type of player.
Ball has had a respectable season
Since making his return from his knee injury, Ball has had a solid season, and has been a great secondary floor general for the Bulls this season. In 29 games, Ball has averaged 21.3 minutes, scored 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, and is an 85.7% free throw shooter.
Ball has been Billy Donovan’s starting shooting guard as of late, and with LaVine gone, Ball will have more of a role in the Bulls offense. Ball proved capable of handling the role of a starter, averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 8 games.
We shall see what the Bulls decide
Thursday’s trade deadline is fast approaching. And the Bulls will have to decide if they want to keep Ball around.
Extending Ball, wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Bulls to do. However, with Ball’s trade value being the highest it can be, the Bulls should move him.
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