{"id":41542,"date":"2021-08-02T18:48:25","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T22:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=41542"},"modified":"2021-08-02T19:13:14","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T23:13:14","slug":"chicago-bulls-lonzo-ball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/08\/02\/chicago-bulls-lonzo-ball\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bulls Land Lonzo Ball In A Sign-And-Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>According to Shams Charania of <em>Yahoo Sports<\/em>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/balllo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lonzo Ball<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has agreed to a four-year $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls as a part of a sign-and-trade. The Pelicans in return get <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/satorto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tomas Satoransky<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/templga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garrett Temple<\/a><\/strong>, and a second-round pick.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Chicago Bulls are sending Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple and a second-round pick to New Orleans for Lonzo Ball, who&#39;s signing a four-year, $85M contract, sources tell <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheAthletic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Stadium<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1422318234385227783?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 2, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It was rumored the Chicago franchise would be aggressive in free agency to find their point guard of the future. It appears they believe Ball will be <em>that guy.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Chicago Bulls Land Lonzo Ball In A Sign-And-Trade<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Chicago Bulls Land Lonzo Ball In Free Agency<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Ball averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists but saw good improvements in his shooting percentages. The 23-year-old had career highs in field-goal (41.4), three-point (37.8), and free throw percentage (78.1), establishing himself as a solid complementary scorer.<\/p>\n<p>The New Orleans Pelicans are in a tough spot. Franchise stars <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willizi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zion Williamson<\/a> <\/strong>and<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/ingrabr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Ingram<\/a> <\/strong>publically voiced their desire to make the post-season creating a sense of urgency within the organization. New Orleans does not want a repeat of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Davis<\/a> <\/strong>saga thus pressure is mounting in The Big Easy.<\/p>\n<p>For Chicago, this is a great moment for a franchise desperately seeking stability at the point guard position. The last time the Bulls had a steady hand at the one spot was when they had <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rondora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rajon Rondo<\/a><\/strong> during the 2016-17 season. Ball brings fire, tenacity, a unique passing skill set, and a defensive mindset to a team that desperately needs it.<\/p>\n<h3>Pressure Building on General Manager David Griffin<\/h3>\n<p>Since taking over the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, Griffin made some strong early moves to start his tenure with a bang. He selected Williamson and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hayesja02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaxson Hayes<\/a><\/strong> in the 2019 draft before sending <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holidjr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jrue Holiday<\/a><\/strong> to Milwaukee for two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.<\/p>\n<p>However, Griffin made two major mistakes that set the team back.<\/p>\n<p>He acquired <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bledser01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eric Bledsoe<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steven Adams<\/a><\/strong> to provide a defensive focus. However, the Pelicans ranked 28th in defensive rating last season and couldn&#8217;t stay in front of a parked car.\u00a0Consequently, the pair were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valanjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonas Valanciunas<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>His second mistake came hiring veteran coach Stan Van Gundy. The 61-year-old failed to earn the trust of his younger players, leading them to a disappointing 31-41 season. Van Gundy was fired after just one season.<\/p>\n<p>Ball was a restricted free agent and the Pelicans chose not to match the Bulls&#8217; offer. There&#8217;s more pressure for Griffin now to make the right moves during the offseason to improve this team. So far, they&#8217;ve landed a couple of veteran players and another draft pick. According to David Aldridge of\u00a0<em>The Athletic,<\/em> Temple will head to New Orleans on a three-year deal with the first two years of his contract guaranteed. He was originally set to be a free agent during this offseason.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Per source, veteran guard Garrett Temple will be going to the New Orleans Hornets on a three-year deal, with first two years guaranteed at $5 million per.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/davidaldridgedc\/status\/1422317088316796931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 2, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"yLgki16vS5FdjPRueN7LAA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1161299012\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'yLgki16vS5FdjPRueN7LAA',sig:'1xrUTHMCvybqrBvrkXPQYCc7-JKzAGqnnVZ37eczqeY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1161299012',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports,\u00a0Lonzo Ball\u00a0has agreed to a four-year $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls as a part of a sign-and-trade. The Pelicans in return get Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, and a second-round pick. The Chicago Bulls are sending Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple and a second-round pick to New Orleans for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3477,"featured_media":41244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,8,33],"tags":[2033,667],"class_list":["post-41542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-bulls","category-pelicans","tag-2021-nba-free-agency","tag-lonzo-ball"],"modified_by":"Kunning Chen, Department Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3477"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41542"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41542\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}