(670 The Score) The Bulls pursued Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball in trade discussions before the deadline passed in March. Now, Chicago looks primed to make another run at Ball.
The Bulls are expected to be suitors for Ball in free agency, NBA insider Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Ball will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Pelicans will have matching rights on offers he receives from other teams. And in what could be a big development, the Pelicans are “unlikely” to match a significant offer sheet for Ball, Charania reported.
That’s notable because the Bulls have the ability to carve out the cap space to offer Ball a lucrative deal of $20 million or more annually. Of course, doing so would come at a cost for the Bulls, who – if they didn’t do a sign-and-trade for Ball – would likely have to renounce the rights to big man Daniel Theis, let big man Lauri Markkanen walk for nothing and perhaps move forward Thad Young or guard Tomas Satoransky for little return to open up the needed space.
Ball, 23, averaged 14.6 points and 5.7 assists in 31.8 minutes across 55 games last season. He shot 37.8% on 3-pointers. He’s also a strong defender.
The Clippers are also expected to pursue Ball, Charania reported. NBA free agency opens Aug. 2.
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