Just days before the NBA Trade Deadline, the Chicago Bulls already made a significant deal. After years of rumors, the team finally traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings as part of the deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. In addition to LaVine, there are plenty of other Bulls who are potential trade candidates, especially Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic. While another trade could be in line for Chicago, do not expect the team to trade away all their potential candidates.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls “have received trade interest” in Ball. However, the team is not eager to trade him. Additionally, they “are resistant” to buying him out as well.
The Bulls have received trade interest in Lonzo Ball all season but sources tell @TheSteinLine that they have not been eager to trade him and are resistant to buying Ball out if he remains a Bull past Thursday’s deadline.
More from @JakeLFischer and me: https://t.co/f3fN5f8S8s https://t.co/zzSECZCvpu
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 4, 2025
Furthermore, Stein also said the Bulls have shown interest in re-signing Ball, who is in the midst of a contract year.
The Bulls, I’m told, have even shown some interest in re-signing Lonzo Ball once his current contract expires. Ball is playing this season on an expiring $21.4 million deal.
More from @JakeLFischer and me: https://t.co/f3fN5f8kiU https://t.co/7vfbeTES0F
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 4, 2025
Chicago Bulls Are Not Eager to Trade Lonzo Ball
Former Team May Have Had Interest in Lonzo Ball Trade
Stein did not name any teams in particular who may have interest in Ball. However, there is one team who was linked to Ball earlier this season.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Los Angeles Lakers may have the UCLA alum on their radar.
“I think Lonzo is someone that’s going to be on their radar, and I think depending on the price if you could get him for a second or two seconds, I think that’s an interesting swing, and also someone with that 6’6” frame that could potentially I think be similar to Bruce Brown, check a couple boxes,” Buva said.
The Lakers, of course, drafted Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in 2017. He spent two seasons with the team before they traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans in a package for Anthony Davis.
Given the Lakers’ recent acquisition of Luka Doncic, it is unlikely they will pursue a Ball reunion.
The Last Word
Despite missing most of November, Ball has been pretty healthy this season. The 27-year-old has appeared in 29 games and started eight of them. He still has yet to play more than 28 minutes in a game. However, according to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, LaVine could play without restriction by the end of the season.
Regardless of what happens, it is good to see Ball back on the court. While he has yet to revert to his pre-injury self, Ball is reminding everybody just how valuable he can be. The Bulls are unlikely to make any playoff noise this year. However, keeping Ball around for the long run could help them reach that point sooner rather than later.
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