After a long rebuild, the Chicago Bulls finally pushed their chips onto the table two years ago. They traded for Nikola Vucevic at the 2021 trade deadline, and the following summer, they signed DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Lonzo Ball. Unfortunately, the latter of those three hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
Thirty-five games into his Bulls tenure, Ball went down with a knee injury, and he has yet to return to the court. Now, it’s looking like he will miss all of next season, too, and some even believe he may never play again. With that in mind, would Chicago be better off trading 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 undoubtedly at an all-time low, but Chicago could still get some sort of return. With that in mind, here are three potential Ball trades Chicago could make this offseason.
Lonzo Ball trades for Chicago Bulls: Doug McDermott
Bulls receive: Doug McDermott, Zach Collins
Spurs receive: Lonzo Ball, Two second-round picks
As noted, Ball’s value is a lot lower than many may think. There’s a chance he may never make it back onto the court.
For the San Antonio Spurs, taking that chance could be worth it, and they have no immediate need to be competitive. Plus, they have cap space to fill the holes left by Doug McDermott and Zach Collins. And if Ball ever gets healthy, he would be a nice fit next to Victor Wembanyama.
Meanwhile, Chicago would fill two great needs with this deal. McDermott’s return to the Bulls would give them a great shooter, and Collins would be a nice backup behind Nikola Vucevic. Plus, both contracts will be up at the end of next season, freeing up cap space for the Bulls to work with.
Lonzo Ball trades for Chicago Bulls: Dorian Finney-Smith
Bulls receive: Dorian Finney-Smith, Patty Mills
Nets receive: Lonzo Ball, Dalen Terry, Second-round pick
Similar to the Spurs, the Brooklyn Nets aren’t necessarily in a rush to compete. Taking a chance on a guy like Ball could be worth it. This would also clear up minutes on the wing for Brooklyn while also adding a nice young prospect in Dalen Terry.
Meanwhile, the Bulls add some much-needed defense and shooting in the form of Dorian-Finney Smith. And while Patty Mills is entering the final chapter of his career, his shooting and veteran leadership would be valuable.
Lonzo Ball trades for Chicago Bulls: Chris Paul
Bulls receive: Chris Paul
Suns receive: Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Second-round pick
The Phoenix Suns could look to shake things up this summer, and while Ball wouldn’t help them win immediately, as they are trying to do, Alex Caruso would. Caruso’s defense and shooting would make him an ideal fit next to 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.
