The Chicago Bulls are far from a complete team. One guy they should be going after is New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball.
For the last few years, point guard was the Chicago Bulls’ weakest position. A declining Rajon Rondo and a shaky Kris Dunn were the Chicago point guards in the immediate post-Derrick Rose era of Bulls basketball. Now, with a savvy veteran like Tomas Satoransky, an improving youngster like Coby White, and a Kris Dunn that’s finally found his niche, the point guard situation isn’t looking so grim. That doesn’t mean it can’t be improved, though.
A guy the Bulls should be watching closely? Lonzo Ball.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in an odd situation. They had one of the craziest offseasons in NBA history, trading superstar Anthony Davis in return for a haul of young guys and also winning the lottery and subsequently drafting generational talent Zion Williamson.
How did they follow their magical summer? With a 9-23 start to the 2019-20 season.
Most of their disappointing start is due to Williamson’s injury. Missing a guy like Zion is bound to put a few extra games in the loss column. This season hasn’t been a complete waste, though. The Pelicans have learned a lot about their crown jewel in the AD trade — Brandon Ingram.
Ingram is having a breakout season, averaging over 25 points and seven boards per game. He’s been sensational. The other big piece of the AD trade, Lonzo Ball, hasn’t been as awe-inspiring.
Lonzo still has a lot of the problems he had during his first two seasons in LA. He’s incredibly inefficient from the field, he disappears for large chunks of games and his shot is still super wonky.
I’m guessing the Pelicans will want to see how Zion and Lonzo play together before making any moves involving the latter, but if they think they’ve seen enough, the Bulls should be one of the first teams on the phone.
Despite all of Lonzo’s flaws — and there are plenty — his ceiling remains incredibly high. He’s one of the most underrated perimeter defenders in the league. He uses his 6’6″ frame to bother opposing ball handlers, and he does a nice job of getting his hands in the passing lanes. He’s also a really solid rebounder. The thing he does best, though, comes after forcing a turnover or grabbing a rebound. He’s one of the best guys in the league at getting the ball up the floor quickly, and it’s awesome to watch. His eyes are always up, keeping him ready to deliver a pin-point outlet pass to jumpstart the break.
That’s the kind of guy that would work really well in the Bulls’ current system. Chicago is first in the league in steals but in the 20th percentile in transition offense. Can you imagine how much better their transition game would be with Lonzo as the initiator after a forced turnover?
Another thing to remember with Lonzo is that he’s barely 22 years old. It feels like he should be older since he’s been in our lives for so long, but that’s what happens when you have the loudest dad in basketball history in your corner.
Lonzo’s ceiling as an elite defender and upper-echelon passer make him worthy of at least a phone call from the Bulls’ front office. If word gets out that he’s available close to the trade deadline, he should be trade target 1A for the Bulls. He’s the type of point guard that could help push Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and the rest of the Bulls to the next level.
The trade deadline is Thursday, February 6.