It has been a frustrating few years for Chicago Bulls fans. But even after years of mediocre play, the Bulls started to make some moves toward becoming relevant again this past season. One way they can continue that forward progress is through biting the bullet and trading Lonzo Ball.
Obviously, thinking about knee injuries brings back some PTSD for Bulls fans, and Lonzo Ball is the latest example. There were periods throughout 2023 and 2024 where many wondered if Ball would even get a chance to play again. After suffering a meniscus injury in January 2022, Lonzo underwent recurring procedures that kept him out for over two full seasons.
Those kind of situations are not easy for a professional athlete to endure. Even those with the best athletic ability are going to experience difficulty when it comes to prolonged injuries that take a toll on their body.
But give a lot of credit to Lonzo for staying the course and seeing through his lengthy recovery process. In October 2024, after nearly three full years off the court, he finally made his return for the Bulls. However, there's still reason to think the right move from a basketball perspective could be for Chicago to trade him.
Chicago needs to find a trade partner for Lonzo
We can acknowledge Ball's grit and heart that allowed him to persevere through this situation while also recognizing that logically, he's too much of an injury risk moving forward. This summer, Chicago should make it a priority to seek out a trade partner, and make an effort to get a good return for Lonzo.
With Ball only having played 70 combined games in the last four seasons, it should be a no-brainer that moving him is a more than viable option. Of course, some may be concerned that there would be little interest from teams around the league when it comes to trading for him.
There are a few factors working in the Bulls' favor here. For one, Lonzo will be making only $10 million next season. Additionally, even if his athleticism is not what it once was, he still brings an interesting combination of ball-handling, shooting, and defense to the floor. It's not ridiculous to think another team could view him as a rotational piece.
On top of that, you have to think that Ball will only get more comfortable as he gets more games under his belt. Sure, he played in 35 games this past season, but coming off a significant amount of time off means that he was still getting his legs underneath him and working to get more comfortable again.
I'm confident to say Lonzo can still be an impactful player in this league for years to come. With that being said, considering what Chicago's situation currently is, it's probably best if they find an interested team this offseason and trade him elsewhere.