With the first portion of the 2025-26 season completed, teams are starting to form identities, gain insight into their playoff outlook, and see an accurate trajectory for the 82-game slate. Many underperforming teams will feature high-level contributors who are eager for a place where they can contend and compete for NBA championships. The Dallas Mavericks were the first team to be linked to a potential fire sale, and a new team has entered the conversation for unloading their top talents after a sluggish start. Who's the latest franchise teasing a fire sale, and how do the Bulls factor in?
LaMelo Ball Being Tied To Chicago
The Charlotte Hornets are off to a 4-11 start to the year. Their most talented player, former All-Star LaMelo Ball, is reportedly growing tired of their losing ways. He was drafted to Charlotte in 2020, has never appeared in the NBA playoffs, and has a career winning percentage of 41.8%. Midway through his sixth season, he has averaged 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game throughout his career. At 24 years old, Ball is ready to contribute to a championship-contending organization and has hinted at a desire for a trade away from the Hornets.
Breaking: LaMelo Ball is open to being traded from the Hornets, per @KellyIko
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 20, 2025
Ball has ‘grown increasingly frustrated’ amid Charlotte’s 4-11 start pic.twitter.com/67KCUi3UFe
The Bulls, Mavericks and Raptors have been mentioned as landing spots for LaMelo Ball if he was to be traded 👀
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) November 20, 2025
Where will he land? pic.twitter.com/mJNjTQCnAB
As previously mentioned, with Anthony Davis' ties to Chicago via trade, the Bulls will be a hot landing destination for any trades this season due to their looming cap space this summer, their hefty draft stock usable in trades, and the surplus of young, blossoming talents to flip for a player with an instant impact.
The Bulls Should Not Entertain This Trade
Although LaMelo Ball is an exceptional offensive talent and one of the best isolation scoring guards in the league, the Bulls should not pick up the phone. Much of the lack of success in Charlotte is directly related to his playing style and inability to remain healthy. He's primarily an isolation scorer and is an inefficient shooter. He's attempted over 10 three-point attempts per game over the last two seasons, and shot under 33% from downtown. Ball also averages over three turnovers per contest in his career and is widely considered one of the most reckless and careless ball-handlers in the league. He has only played over 51 games once in his career, missing 49% of his possible outings. His offensive strengths and defensive deficiencies would hurt the Bulls much more than they would help.
Lamelo Ball this season:
— NBA Tour Dates (@NBATourDates) November 20, 2025
38.5% FGM
29.8% 3PM
3.7 Turnovers
NOBODY WANTS YOU BRO 😭🙏pic.twitter.com/9Ps3L4dDxP https://t.co/GoYgTuZAwn
Hopefully, better minds prevail in Chicago if they're contacted regarding a LaMelo Ball deal. His injury history, inefficient and ball-dominant play style, and defensive weaknesses make for a disastrous addition for a Bulls team that is playing its best basketball in five years.
