Wow, the first couple days of free agency have been crazy. The Bulls have greatly upgraded their roster. Let’s take a deeper look into the Lonzo Ball signing, and what it means for Chicago.
The Contract
Lonzo Ball received a 4-year, $85 million dollar deal from the Bulls within the first minute of free agency. As Lonzo was a restricted free agent, the Bulls and Pelicans agreed on a sign-and-trade deal.
The Bulls sent Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, and a future second round pick to the Pelicans for Lonzo. This is a great deal for the Bulls. It brings them their point guard solution, without exactly giving up any important assets or assets the Bulls planned on keeping.
The contract that Lonzo received is a big contract for a player like him. Some have believed for it to be an overpay, but that’s just not the case. Lonzo Ball has improved in every single year that he has been in the league, and if he keeps it up this will look like a great deal for the Bulls.
What Does Lonzo Bring to the Team?
Lonzo Ball is a young point guard(23), who still has a ton of potential. Last year he averaged 14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 5.7 apg. Lonzo Ball has greatly improved on his shooting stats every year that he has been in the league. Last year he shot 41.4%, 37.8% from three, and 78.1% from the free throw line. If we look at his shooting stats from his rookie year (36%, 30.5%, and 45.1%), we can see just how much he has improved on his shot. Lonzo is going to bring the playmaking as well as some shooting to this team.
Let’s take a further look into the backcourt of Lonzo Ball, and Zach LaVine.
As us Bulls fans know, Zach LaVine needs the ball in his hands and does not play off ball that much. LaVine is a very flashy scorer, with the ability to drive and hit threes at a great percentage. What Zach LaVine does not currently possess is a great defensive game, as well as great playmaking.
You know who happens to be a great defender and playmaker? Lonzo Ball.
Lonzo Ball also has the ability to play off the ball when it’s in LaVine’s hand. Their games just compliment each other so nicely.
Overview
The Bulls acquired Lonzo Ball via a sign-and-trade with the Pelicans. His contract, which may seem a little expensive, is perfect if he continues to progress the way he has. If he ends up not performing well in Chicago, we may very well look at his contract as an overpay but it seems unlikely.
At the time of this article being written, the Bulls have a projected starting lineup of: Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vucevic. With an elite playmaker like Ball, this may positively benefit everyone else in this lineup and the whole team. Zach LaVine has not played with a playmaker like Ball, so imagine the benefits that it would bring him. Lonzo would likely be guarding the opposing team’s best guard so LaVine wouldn’t have to, and he could use a lot more of his energy on the offensive end while still providing solid defense.
Lonzo Ball will not be the savior of the Chicago Bulls, but he will definitely elevate this team to the next level.