One player at each position for the Chicago Bulls to target this summer: Lonzo Ball, PG
It would be difficult to say that Bulls fans would rather have any other free agent signing this offseason, potentially barring the Los Angeles Clippers superstar forward Kawhi Leonard, than the New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball. The 6-foot-6 and 190-pound 23-year-old former UCLA Bruins star point guard and second overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft of the Los Angeles Lakers is about to hit restricted free agency this summer.
This will be the first time that Lonzo gets to test the free agent market, granted it’s not all in his control this offseason. A plethora of suitors could be looking to essentially create a bidding war to top his offer sheet. Or a team like the Bulls, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, etc., might be willing to give a juicy sign-and-trade offer the Pelicans way to land Lonzo.
As far as the Bulls positional need at point guard is concerned, Lonzo would help them fill a plethora of other issues. He’s a good one-on-one defender, runs well in transition, shoots well from deep now, and can truly facilitate the offense while not commanding an overwhelming amount of usage compared to the likes of LaVine and Vooch.
The problem that the Bulls will face this offseason in terms of the pursuit of Lonzo is how much it might cost to get him. If his next contract goes to the point of paying him a minimum of $18-$20 million annually, that might be a big to pricy.
Honorable Mention: Spencer Dinwiddie
If the Bulls were to pursue another option in free agency, then the Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie could be a fantastic way to go. The hurdle for the Bulls in pursuit of Dinwiddie lies with the fact that he might be returning to the Nets for another season if he exercises his looming player option.