Chicago Bulls: Lakers’ Russell Westbrook ups ante for Lonzo Ball

The blockbuster trade early on in the night of the 2021 NBA Draft did not involve the Chicago Bulls. But it is one that could greatly impact the rest of the NBA and partially set the tone for the rest of the offseason. The big trade that got draft night off and running on July 29 saw the Los Angeles Lakers ship off three players to the Washington Wizards for a return that included star point guard Russell Westbrook.

The trio of players that the Lakers had to send to the Wizards to get a true star to form a big three with Westbrook included big man Montrezl Harrell, forward Kyle Kuzma, and wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That is a lot to give up for the Lakers to get one of the loftiest contracts in the entire NBA.

But the Lakers are likely going to try to make one last push alongside the likes of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to win a second title with that mix. The Lakers had a very early exit in the playoffs this year at the hands of the eventual Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns.

Getting that final piece that the Lakers felt like would help them get over the hump once again to be dominant out West likely drove this move. Getting Westbrook will surely give the Lakers just about as much star power as any team in the NBA.

Will the asking price go up for the Chicago Bulls to get Lonzo Ball after the Russell Westbrook trade?

But this move also makes for something that could impact the entire point guard market this summer for needy teams like the Bulls. Since the Lakers didn’t look to be a real suitor for New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, that might not clear up competition for the Bulls. But knowing the price tag on the trade market for point guards like Westbrook and Ben Simmons, Lonzo could cost the Bulls a lot if the team wants to sign him this offseason.

The one potential point guard target for the Bulls that the market could clear up a bit for the Bulls is the Brooklyn Nets standout point guard Spencer Dinwiddie. The Lakers were expected to pursue Dinwiddie if the team couldn’t land a star point guard. But with Russ in the mix now, there should be one less serious suitor after Dinwiddie.

Still, the Bulls should be a serious contender for Lonzo to try and find that elusive point guard of the future. The asking price for point guards will be lofty this summer, hence why the Lakers had to give up a good bit in player assets for such an expensive contract in Russ.

The lone pick that the Bulls have on the night of the 2021 NBA Draft lies at No. 38 overall in the second round. We’re still waiting at the moment to see who Arturas Karnisovas and the Bulls will select if they stick in the 38th spot in this draft.