Report: Lonzo Ball Has Generated Multiple Trade Feelers

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has generated multiple trade feelers. 

“Sources say Ball — back from long-running knee woes and effective again on an expiring contract — has generated multiple trade feelers,” Fischer wrote. 

The Los Angeles Lakers, who drafted Ball with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, are interested in trading for the UCLA product, a league source told Hoops Wire. 

NBA reporter Jovan Buha of The Athletic was the first person to report that the Lakers could be interested in getting Ball back. 

“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,” Buha said. “He’s bulked up a little bit throughout his career, so he can guard twos and even some smaller threes and potentially be part of a one-through-three switching scheme. And then offensively I think especially coming off the bench as a secondary ball-handler, playmaker and also a spot-up shooter, I think he’s someone who’s an interesting gamble for them.”

Chicago is open to trading Ball, shooting guard Zach LaVine and big man Nikola Vucevic. 

Ball is averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 36.1% from the field, 33.1% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. He’s making $21.4 million in the final year of his contract. 

The 27-year-old Ball has career averages of 11.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Bulls. He remains a talented defender and floor general.

Ball missed the entire 2022-23 season and the 2023-24 campaign. He underwent a cartilage transplant in his left knee and received a meniscus transplant from a donor.

Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Pelicans.

The Bulls are 19-26. They are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings.