Lonzo Ball Thread (UPDATE: Bulls Offer Sato + 2nd Round picks)

[StunnerKO]

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[League Circles]

It's hard to believe how many Bulls fans are interested in giving primary control of the basketball to an atrocious scoring threat. Ultra low volume, ultra low efficiency, and makes less than half of his **** free throws in his **** career.

The hardest of passes. There are plenty of current Bulls that I'd rather have in that role, and they're not even good either!!!!

[coldfish]

Uhhh, everyone is aware that he stinks and that is why he is available, right?

He is the type of PG you can pick up for the MLE most offseasons and as a result, has little value in trade. I'm not sure he is an upgrade over Sato.

[sco]

I'd still prefer to see if we could get Rubio from Minny, but I like the idea of a "try before you buy" trade for Lonzo. If he sucks, you don't need to pay-up if he gets a big RFA offer. He's like Lauri in that we've seen good stretches from him that are enticing. Maybe with additional talent added to NO, there aren't as many shots to be found.

[drosestruts]

There have been times that I've talked myself into Lonzo and times I've talked myself out of him. Not really sure where I'm at at the moment. I do think in order to acquire him we'd have to send a package of like White/Felicio. Pelicans aren't going to give him up for free. Especially with so many teams interested.

[The Explorer]

Bulls basically had Lonzo the last few years in the form of Kris Dunn. They let Dunn go for a reason. I doubt they'd be interested in Lonzo now, who offers no clear upgrade.

[Wingy]

Just throw out Chicago, LA, NY, Toronto! That’s how you get your views and clicks!

[gobullschi]

The Bulls have needed a true point guard for years and when one is available, you're shocked that people are interested? We aren't realistically talking about moving any big assets for the guy. He is about to be a free agent, it's very obvious that his days in New Orleans are numbered, he's having his worst season of his career, and is clearly a terrible fit in Stan Van Gundy's system. His trade value is literally at an ALL-TIME low. Plus, when you project what type of contract he is expecting to receive next season it becomes even more transparent why New Orleans wants to move him.

Ricky Rubio is probably his closest comparison right now, although you could certainly make the argument that Rubio has outplayed Lonzo in nearly every statistical category. Given his age (23) and upside, MAYBE he could get a contract at 17M/annually. That's not the most ideal way to use the Bull's cap space, even though there aren't that many options that are better in the offseason.

I don't see the harm in moving guys like Valentine, Hutchison, or Satoransky with a second round pick to see if he would flourish in Billy Donovan's system. None of those guys can really stay healthy either and Lonzo is younger than all of them.

[ATRAIN53]

depends what it costs.

I fell like we already have him on our roster wearing #45 and putting up @ the same stats.

It will be interesting to see if anyone bites on him.
It's a contract year too so you really get a free look at him as a building block.

It feels like we have had interest in him since the draft.

I think if he really had IT - LeBron would have been more adamant keeping him in LA.
I know they used him in the AD trade but if LeBron really liked him, the kid would still be in LA.

[coldfish]

Coby has been a disappointment this year. He hasn't shot well, doesn't run the offense well, etc.

Coby per 36
16.3p 6.0a 5.3r 2.9tov 51.4%ts

Ball per 36
13.6p 5.3a 4.3r 2.8tov 48.2%ts

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Why would anyone consider trading something of value for him?

[League Circles]

Coby has been a disappointment this year. He hasn't shot well, doesn't run the offense well, etc.

Coby per 36
16.3p 6.0a 5.3r 2.9tov 51.4%ts

Ball per 36
13.6p 5.3a 4.3r 2.8tov 48.2%ts

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Why would anyone consider trading something of value for him?

Some people remain enamored with a player's original draft position. I'm guilty of it myself on occasion. Although Lonzo is a better defender than Coby, I think Coby will become an above average defender, and I always thought Ball was drafted way too high in real time.

[League Circles]

The Bulls have needed a true point guard for years and when one is available, you're shocked that people are interested? We aren't realistically talking about moving any big assets for the guy. He is about to be a free agent, it's very obvious that his days in New Orleans are numbered, he's having his worst season of his career, and is clearly a terrible fit in Stan Van Gundy's system. His trade value is literally at an ALL-TIME low. Plus, when you project what type of contract he is expecting to receive next season it becomes even more transparent why New Orleans wants to move him.

Ricky Rubio is probably his closest comparison right now, although you could certainly make the argument that Rubio has outplayed Lonzo in nearly every statistical category. Given his age (23) and upside, MAYBE he could get a contract at 17M/annually. That's not the most ideal way to use the Bull's cap space, even though there aren't that many options that are better in the offseason.

I don't see the harm in moving guys like Valentine, Hutchison, or Satoransky with a second round pick to see if he would flourish in Billy Donovan's system. None of those guys can really stay healthy either and Lonzo is younger than all of them.

Why do the Bulls need a "true" PG when such players haven't been that common on the league's best teams in decades????

[dougthonus]

Coby has been a disappointment this year. He hasn't shot well, doesn't run the offense well, etc.

Coby per 36
16.3p 6.0a 5.3r 2.9tov 51.4%ts

Ball per 36
13.6p 5.3a 4.3r 2.8tov 48.2%ts

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Why would anyone consider trading something of value for him?

I wouldn't focus on this years stats in a small sample with a team he's not fitting well with. I wouldn't give up much for Lonzo, but I think he'd be a much better passer and defender than Coby White. He wouldn't give you the threat of scoring though.

[LateNight]

There are some really solid arguments against trading for Lonzo in here.

If anything, I think the excitement over Lonzo is essentially just fans who are tired of not having competent starters. (NOT saying Lonzo solves this issue)

Temple and Thad are not earth shattering talents and they have made our team so much more watchable this season. Lonzo may not be the answer but we need a center and a point guard who can play d and doesn’t constantly turn the ball over in crunch time. it’d be nice if we could solve those problems this season

[coldfish]

Coby has been a disappointment this year. He hasn't shot well, doesn't run the offense well, etc.

Coby per 36
16.3p 6.0a 5.3r 2.9tov 51.4%ts

Ball per 36
13.6p 5.3a 4.3r 2.8tov 48.2%ts

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Why would anyone consider trading something of value for him?

I wouldn't focus on this years stats in a small sample with a team he's not fitting well with. I wouldn't give up much for Lonzo, but I think he'd be a much better passer and defender than Coby White. He wouldn't give you the threat of scoring though.

IMO, he is a surprisingly overrated passer. He is good in full court but as soon as its a half court affair, his inability to score cuts down his passing options dramatically and he just doesn't seem to have a great feel for the game. On a per 36 basis, he is at 7.2 assists for his career. Rubio (as an example of a pass first PG who doesn't shoot well) is at 9.1.

[DuckIII]

I’m all in on trading for Ball. He’s got warts but he’s got a couple of strengths that are huge needs for this team. He’s on a rookie deal so we don’t have to commit.

It’s purely a question of cost to me. Not a question of whether he makes excellent sense as a potential acquisition.

[TheSuzerain]

Coby has been a disappointment this year. He hasn't shot well, doesn't run the offense well, etc.

Coby per 36
16.3p 6.0a 5.3r 2.9tov 51.4%ts

Ball per 36
13.6p 5.3a 4.3r 2.8tov 48.2%ts

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Why would anyone consider trading something of value for him?

Ball > Coby White as a PG.

Neither are good mind you, but that doesn't change that Lonzo is better.

[dougthonus]

IMO, he is a surprisingly overrated passer. He is good in full court but as soon as its a half court affair, his inability to score cuts down his passing options dramatically and he just doesn't seem to have a great feel for the game. On a per 36 basis, he is at 7.2 assists for his career. Rubio (as an example of a pass first PG who doesn't shoot well) is at 9.1.

I agree with that. Hence why I wouldn't give up much, but a better defensive guard that runs the break better on one of the fastest teams in the NBA? I think he'd be somewhat intriguing here, again, I wouldn't give up much Sato + 2nd rounder or something.

[coldfish]

I’m all in on trading Ball. He’s got warts but he’s got a couple of strengths that are huge needs for this team. He’s on a rookie deal so we don’t have to commit.

It’s purely a question of cost to me. Not a question of whether he makes excellent sense as a potential acquisition.

When the man guarding him sags into the middle to jam up all of the interior cuts and picks that Chicago runs, there would be some questions.

[IliketheBullsNBearstoo]

I'd take a flyer on him only if he comes cheap and only if it gets Coby into his more natural position.