Offseason targets No. 3: Lonzo Ball
One of the most notable trade targets that surfaced for Karnisovas and the Bulls at the March 25 deadline was the New Orleans Pelicans two-way 6-foot-6 point guard and former UCLA Bruin Lonzo Ball. The 23-year-old California native Ball, like the Hawks big man Collins, is set to become a restricted free agent next offseason.
Ball is currently in the midst of the final year of his rookie contract. And he’s likely to get a nice pay raise come next offseason since he’s really improved his game on both ends of the floor over the course of the last two years. Landing with the Pelicans was an underrated move that helped the trajectory of Ball’s career.
At the trade deadline, it looked like the Bulls were going to make a big push to land Lonzo to get an upgrade at the point guard position. But it also looks like Karnisovas ran out of resources to negotiate with the Pelicans to land Ball after making that big splash deal to snag Vucevic and Aminu from the Magic.
But with Ball hitting the free agent market potentially next offseason, that creates another opportunity for the Bulls to pursue him. There are also the options of a sign-and-trade deal with the Pelicans to get Ball or try to find another way to upgrade at point guard.
With the way that Ball is shooting and continuing to develop as a one-on-one defender and primary facilitator at the one of late, it makes sense for the Bulls to go after him in free agency.