Chicago Bulls: 3 crucial targets in NBA free agency

Chicago Bulls targets in NBA free agency: 3. Lonzo Ball

Leading up to this past season’s trade deadline, the Bulls and Lonzo Ball seemed to share a mutual interest in Ball coming to Chicago, but nothing came of those rumors. Fast forward to July, and that interest, at least on Chicago’s end, hasn’t dissipated.

That shouldn’t surprise anyone who has perused the Bulls’ point guard depth chart, which looks even worse following Coby White’s shoulder injury. As a result, the Bulls are even more desperate for a solid starter in that spot, and Ball would fit what they are looking for.

As a restricted free agent, the Bulls would need to fend off not only other interested parties (like the New York Knicks) but also the New Orleans Pelicans, who have the right to match any outside offer thrown Ball’s way. But if he signs with the Bulls, he would be a great fit.

Offensively, Ball would give the Bulls some needed playmaking and spacing without siphoning too many possessions away from Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Defensively, he would lighten the load for LaVine — historically considered a terrible defender — with his switchability and athleticism, and his length would give the Bulls someone who can generate steals by either jumping into passing lanes or picking someone’s pocket.