We are now just a few hours away from the beginning of NBA free agency, and the rumors have been flying freely all day. As for the Chicago Bulls, not much has changed.
The Bulls remain intent on acquiring point guard Lonzo Ball, who is a restricted free agent with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Bulls tried to snag Ball before this past season’s trade deadline, but New Orleans was adamant about more than just a Ball-for-Lauri Markkanen swap. Now, New Orleans has changed its tune after realizing they weren’t going to get more than what the Bulls were offering.
The Pelicans appear set not to match any lucrative offers for Ball, making the Bulls a real front runner to get him. However, the Bulls might just up the ante and agree on a sign-and-trade with the Pelicans in order to get Ball to Chicago.
A sign-and-trade involving Chicago Bulls guard Tomas Satoransky is rumored as a possibility to land Lonzo Ball.
NBC Sports’ KC Johnson reported today that the Bulls could include guard Tomas Satoransky in a deal for Ball.
Johnson wrote that the Bulls have been dangling Thaddeus Young out there in trade talks as well, but sending Satoransky to New Orleans makes more sense in order to give them a starting-caliber guard to replace Ball.
Johnson also makes a great point in his piece. The biggest advantage to a sign-and-trade here is that the Bulls wouldn’t have to renounce their free agents, Daniel Theis and Garrett Temple, in addition to Lauri Markkanen and others.
If the Bulls landed Ball in a trade like this, there might be a way they could hang onto one or two of their own free agents. Of those, Theis might be the most important. The energy and dirty work he brought to the table last year was undeniable.
Free agency officially opens up at 5pm CST, and from there we will be seeing a whirlwind of action. The Bulls will likely act fast in their ultimate pursuit of Ball, who improved his shooting last year and showed an ability to knock down the three at a much more efficient clip.
Gaining a bigger guard, with a knack for defense and play making, seems to be at the forefront for Chicago this offseason. Ball would be a tremendous fit next to Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, both of whom are strong scorers.
If it isn’t Ball, the Bulls would have plenty of other options at the point guard position. Guys like Derrick Rose, Spencer Dinwiddie or Dennis Schroder could be a possible fit as well. However, none would fit better than Ball. Watch for the Bulls to get something done in a hurry as soon as the clock strikes five.
