The point guard news cycle is moving very fast this week. A number of appealing point guards look like they could be shopped around this summer, including Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons and Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But there are other options that the Chicago Bulls have, namely the New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball.
Lonzo is a very appealing point guard target for the Bulls this summer considering the need that this team has at the position. Beyond the positional need, there’s a lot that the Bulls can get out of Lonzo that will benefit head coach Billy Donovan.
An upgrade in transition offense and defense, perimeter defense, and facilitation of the offense will all greatly benefit the Bulls if they’re able to sign the former UCLA Bruin. Lonzo would also give the Bulls a more gifted athlete and greater length at the point guard position compared to Coby White if he signs in Chicago.
Chicago Bulls now in a more favorable spot to sign Lonzo Ball?
For most of the offseason thus far, it seemed like Lonzo was the top target for the Bulls at the point guard position. And the path looks like it could be clearing up for the Bulls to make a bid to sign Lonzo.
According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic on July 13 (paid content), the Pelicans might not make that big of a push, after all, to keep Lonzo around this summer. It looked for a while like the Pelicans were destined to stay in the running to sign Lonzo, but that picture now seems to be changing.
The Pelicans are a team that will undergo a lot of change this offseason, starting with how they can build this starting unit around star forward Zion Williamson. All of these changes in NOLA could come at the expense of Lonzo this summer.
Moreover, the other team that is reportedly expected to be a top contender to sign Lonzo is the Los Angeles Clippers. No mentioning of another suitor like the Atlanta Hawks or New York Knicks existed in this Shams report.
This is good news for the Bulls if it turns out they are one of the only two teams that really go after Lonzo in restricted free agency this summer. Point guard is a more glaring priority for the Bulls than it is for the Clippers at the moment.
We are less than one month away from the start of the next cycle of free agency. And most of the attention for the Bulls this offseason will remain on what the front office does to address the need at the one.