Chicago Bulls Rumors: Bulls have not called on Lonzo Ball, yet

The Chicago Bulls could be looking for a point guard at the NBA trade deadline, and Lonzo Ball continues to be the rumored target.

At this stage, the Bulls are just treading water in the Eastern Conference. Having dealt with several injuries over the last few weeks, Chicago continues to play competitive basketball for the most part.

Billy Donovan has had an enormous effect on the Bulls, and it’s shown through their ability to still win some games without some important pieces at times. At 11-15, the Bulls sit at the ninth seed out East and still have a legitimate chance at making the playoffs.

If they are to do so, and if they are to remotely make any noise, the Bulls will need to address the point guard position. Throughout this season, Coby White has shown he can be an explosive player just as he was during his rookie campaign.

But, White’s inability to be a true facilitator and, more importantly, play defense, has given Chicago reason to look for a different option. At this stage, White might be better suited as a sixth man — and he’d be fantastic at that role.

Who would the Bulls go after if they were to need a more prototypical point guard? Rumors have been active for weeks now that Chicago is interested in New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, and the interest remains legitimate. It’s been confirmed, but that’s just about the extent of the situation.

Though the Bulls are interested, a recent report says that Chicago has yet to reach out to New Orleans in regards to a potential trade. For now, they continue to do what they have done for weeks on end now: monitor Ball’s situation.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Bulls continue to watch for Ball’s status ahead of the deadline, but still have yet to formally discuss a Ball trade. If that’s the case, it makes one wonder just how serious they are about a deal.

Some trades have already happened this season — some big ones, too. If the Bulls wanted to make a real playoff run, why wouldn’t they have tried to execute a deal yet?

A lineup of Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. would be a much improved lineup overall. That has mostly to do with Ball’s ability to defend and facilitate the offense. If Chicago could get Ball for maybe a pick, while keeping their core (and White, off the bench), then they immediately become a more interesting team.

So far this season, Ball is averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 assists 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Those are not numbers which will jump off the page to anybody, but on the Bulls, he’d have a star scorer in LaVine who would instantly take those assist numbers even higher.

We’ll also continue to monitor the situation with Ball going forward, and maybe the Bulls will have themselves a new point guard sooner or later.