The Bulls may not be done retooling their roster.
After Chicago acquired Josh Giddey from the Thunder in exchange for defensive whiz Alex Caruso, a trade or buyout “could be likely” for Lonzo Ball, according to The Athletic.
“With knee surgeries sidelining Lonzo Ball for most of the last two seasons, the Bulls have pivoted to find a younger playmaker in Giddey to potentially replace him,” the outlet reported.
The Bulls have seemingly been stuck in perpetual mediocrity and it appears the franchise is ready to make some notable changes in hopes of finally contending again.
Ball, the former No. 2 pick, has provided little to the franchise since being acquired before the 2021-22 season.
He averaged 13 points across 35 games that season but has since missed the last two season while undergone three surgeries on his left knee, per ESPN.
He last played Jan. 14, 2022.
“Ultimately, it started with a meniscus tear, basically started on the Lakers when I tore it the first time,” Ball said in May on the “What an Experience” podcast. “Tore it a couple more times to a point to where there was no more meniscus left, bone on bone was rubbing. So, the cartilage was gone and the bone was messed up. So, I had to get a new meniscus from a donor, I had to get a bone allograft, and I had to get some new cartilage put in as well. All that healed up and now I’m back on the court.”
Ball exercised his $21.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season this May and is “expected” to return this upcoming season, per The Athletic.
ESPN reported, though, that it’s not a given Ball will take the court.
It seems the Bulls aren’t counting on Ball returning to the form that made him the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and instead are hoping Giddey can step into that role.
“It’s impossible to not view Giddey as insurance in case Ball doesn’t return,” The Athletic reported. “By bringing in Giddey, the Bulls also might have signaled they’re ready to move on from Ball.”
Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this past season while dealing with allegations of a relationship with a minor.
Charges were not pressed against the 21-year-old, who has averaged 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists since being selected sixth in the 2021 NBA Draft.
