One of the more intriguing recent trade rumors that emerged for the Chicago Bulls new front office regime involved the former top three overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers and the current New Orleans Pelicans potent two-way point guard Lonzo Ball. The Bulls had confirmed interest in looking into a trade for Lonzo with the Pelicans earlier in the week.
And that sparks the intrigue as to what first-year Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley would be willing to part ways with to get Lonzo to the Windy City. Karnisovas and Eversley remained mostly quiet last offseason in regards to making moves on the trade and free agent markets.
Since both the Bulls and Pelicans have a good amount of draft and player assets to work with this year, it could be an interesting brewing situation ahead of the March 25 trade deadline if discussions to get Ball to Chicago actually turn into something.
The Pelicans are starting to fall out of favor in the Western Conference playoff picture of late. Meanwhile, first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls have started to rise up the Eastern Conference standings of late. The Bulls now own a record of 12-15 following their tough three-point win over the divisional foe Detroit Pistons on the night of Feb. 17.
Moreover, the Bulls have now won two games in a row, and three of their last four. The Bulls currently sit just 0.5 games back of the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final spot in the playoff picture in the East as of Feb. 18.
All in all, what should the Bulls be willing to give up if they were to take actual action on these Ball trade rumors? Here’s a look into three names to possibly watch in this discussion.