While Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are stealing the trade headlines heading into the new year, the latest buzz indicates that there's a wildcard candidate to look out for. At a minimum, Chicago has actively shopped their former All-Stars for the last six months and is now publicly adding a new name to the trade block. The Bulls are 15-18 through 33 games, pacing for their third consecutive NBA Play-In Tournament berth. The ongoing debate for the front office and fanbase has been whether to chase a postseason appearance for the first time in three years or sell their aging assets. The latter would force a drop in the standings, retaining their protected top-ten draft pick in 2025 and rebuilding for the future. Who is the third name Chicago is now actively shopping, and how much of a return can they expect for his services?
Lonzo Ball Likely Being Traded Before February
Trading Lonzo Ball is bittersweet. He's one of the most impactful players on the roster, has a team-friendly contract, plays a pivotal role off the bench, and is only 27 years old. Unfortunately, he's been injured for three of his four years in Chicago, which has tarnished his image and overridden all of the positives he provides the organization. In the final year of his contract and headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, it makes the most sense to get some value from their reserve point guard before he walks with no return. That being said, dealing him away but keeping LaVine and Vucevic would be unwise, but is the most likely outcome given Arturas Karnisovas's history in the front office.
The Bulls are willing to trade Lonzo Ball for second-round draft capital.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 16, 2024
Ball’s $21.4 million expiring deal could help a contending team shed future salary, while having a high-upside backup point guard.
Ball is averaging 5.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 17 minutes. pic.twitter.com/sSACE8l188
Perfect Buy-Low, High-Reward Trade Asset
Chicago's asking price should entice several potential landing spots to take a flyer on a bench point guard. In just 14 games this year, he leads the Chicago Bulls in plus/minus, is top-20 in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio, is a proven above-average defender, and shoots nearly 40% from three-point land in his career despite the current slump to begin the season. As his minutes begin to rise and his comfortability returns, he's proving to be one of the most valuable bench additions in the entire Association.
Even post-injury, Lonzo Ball is the ultimate floor raiser for his defense, BBIQ, shooting, and playmaking
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) December 31, 2024
He can routinely make plays that swing games in his team’s favor, simply because he understands where to be and what to do
Thankful he’s healthy pic.twitter.com/0aaQezM6ns
Should the Bulls swap a second-round draft pick for Ball or opt to take their chances with resigning the guard in free agency this summer? The best outcome for the Bulls is continuing to see his gradual improvement and return to his former self, whether in a Chicago jersey moving forward or raising the price tag to move him elsewhere.
