After a long rebuild, the Chicago Bulls finally put their chips on the table two years ago. They traded for Nikola Vucevic at the 2021 trade deadline and, the following summer, signed DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball. Unfortunately, the last of those three has not been able to stay healthy.
Thirty-five games into his tenure with the Bulls, Ball suffered a knee injury and has yet to return to the court. Now, it looks like he too will miss all of next season, with some even believing he may never play again. With that in mind, would it be better for Chicago to trade Ball now?
The Bulls need to move forward under the assumption that they won’t have Ball. In turn, trading his huge contract and other assets for other pieces could be beneficial. His value is certainly at an all time low, but Chicago could still make some kind of return. With that in mind, here are three potential Ball trades Chicago could make this offseason.
Lonzo Ball trades to Chicago Bulls: Doug McDermott
The bulls receive: Doug McDermott Zach Collins
The Spurs receive: Lonzo Ball, two second-round picks
As noted, Ball’s value is much lower than many may think. There is a possibility that he may never return to the court.
For the San Antonio Spurs, taking that risk might be worth it, and they don’t have an immediate need to be competitive. Plus, they have salary cap space to fill the gaps left by Doug McDermott and Zach Collins. And if Ball ever recovers, he would be a good fit alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Meanwhile, Chicago would fill two big needs with this deal. McDermott’s return to the Bulls would give them a great shooter, and Collins would be a good backup behind Nikola Vucevic. Additionally, both contracts will expire at the end of next season, freeing up salary cap space for the Bulls to work on.
The bulls receive: Dorian Finney-Smith Patty Mills
Networks receive: Lonzo Ball, Dalen Terry, second-round pick
Like the Spurs, the Brooklyn Nets aren’t necessarily in a rush to compete. Giving a guy like Ball a chance might be worth it. This would also clear up minutes on the wing for Brooklyn while adding a good young prospect in Dalen Terry.
Meanwhile, the Bulls add much-needed defense and shooting in the form of Dorian-Finney Smith. And as Patty Mills is entering the final chapter of her career, her shooting leadership and her veteran would be valuable.
Lonzo Ball trades to Chicago Bulls: Chris Paul
The bulls receive: Chris Paul
The suns receive: Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, second-round pick
The Phoenix Suns could turn things around this summer, and while Ball wouldn’t help them win right away, as they’re trying to do, Alex Caruso would. Caruso’s defense and shooting would make him an ideal complement alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Meanwhile, the Bulls would finally get a point guard to run their offense and set things up for Zach LaVine and DeRozan.
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The story originally appeared on the Lonzo Wire
