The reshaping—or rebuilding—of the Chicago Bulls roster has officially begun. The Bulls kicked off the NBA offseason dramatically by trading Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey. This move appears to be just the beginning of what could be a busy offseason for the Bulls.
There’s speculation that Chicago has several more moves in the works, which could include trading Zach LaVine and/or Nikola Vucevic and possibly a trade or buyout involving Lonzo Ball. Ball, who hasn’t played since the 2021-22 NBA season, is aiming for a return this year. However, there’s a chance he may have already played his last game in a Bulls uniform.
As the team looks toward a new chapter, it seems unlikely that Ball will be part of their future plans, indicating an imminent separation for both parties.
If Lonzo Ball has indeed played his final game for the Bulls, it would be unfortunate, especially considering his promising first season with the team. Few may recall that the Bulls were the No. 1 seed when Ball was initially injured in 2022, and his injury significantly impacted their performance. His absence, if permanent, could become one of the biggest “what ifs” in NBA history.
It’s regrettable that Ball’s positive impact on the Bulls will likely be overshadowed by his injury, marking him as one of the bigger free-agency disappointments in team history.
If Ball’s tenure in Chicago has ended, it would be fair to allow him to choose his next team, either through a trade or a buyout. Given how his career has been disrupted, Ball deserves the best chance to succeed, and enabling him to become a free agent through a buyout might be the Bulls’ way of honoring him.
