Bulls sign Lonzo Ball to 2 year, $20 million extension

[Bulliever2020]

love Lonzo and enjoy watching him play but I'm pretty disappointed we resigned him. I thought it was time to move on. I don't think he is a long term piece for this team. If we can somehow get a FRP for him next year then great but I don't see that happening. He's only going to sit out 40% of games and when he plays will help us win meaningless games over the next 2 years that will just hurt our draft stock.

[MrSparkle]

It's actually an overpay considering his health condition. He's on a 20 mpg program with rest days.

But seeing as we have all these trade exceptions and a 2026 tank/cap-space plan, it's fine.

[NecessaryEvil]

love Lonzo and enjoy watching him play but I'm pretty disappointed we resigned him. I thought it was time to move on. I don't think he is a long term piece for this team. If we can somehow get a FRP for him next year then great but I don't see that happening. He's only going to sit out 40% of games and when he plays will help us win meaningless games over the next 2 years that will just hurt our draft stock.

He plays well the rest of the season, he’s likely gone by the draft or free agency.

[2weekswithpay]

Just when you think the Bulls front office couldn’t get any worse, they do this. And I like Lonzo, I like him a lot.

I’m sorry but this is a bad decision. Which team was going to offer him this type of contract? No only is he an injury risk, he isn’t the player he was two years ago and he is highly unlikely to ever get back to that level of play.

I don’t hate that they wanted him to stay, I just don’t like the extension they gave him. I would have been much happier if it was in the 10 million for two year range instead.

Just a baffling decision among many other baffling decisions. Our front office is not good, and it’s a god damn shame that they are what we have currently for the foreseeable future; which gives me zero hope that they will make the right decisions in the draft.

What?!?

This is one of the best Bulls contracts in the last quarter century. It's perfect in terms and timing.

you know he sat out for like 8 years with an injury, right? and, though I'm happy to see him playing ball again, he's been injured off and on this season and putting up a stunning 7/3/3 on god awful percentages. he's injury prone and he's lost a step. who's to say he'll be healthy the next two years and that he'll ever play average basketball. why is it a good deal? who were we bidding against? he's a vet min player until he proves otherwise.

the flip side is maybe he does return to form next season and then...he's an expiring deal and who's giving up a ton of assets for that. it's like a medium risk, low reward move. I don't hate it but who cares. it seems dumb.

His percentages are bad but his on-court impact is great for someone who hasn't played in 2 seasons. He's still the smartest guy on the court and our best defender. Impact metrics love him for a reason.

If he gets hurt we can decline his option. Keep him and see if we can trade him next season.

[kulaz3000]

It's actually an overpay considering his health condition. He's on a 20 mpg program with rest days.

But seeing as we have all these trade exceptions and a 2026 tank/cap-space plan, it's fine.

Agreed, considering his health issues 10 million per is an overpay still. Makes it more digestible because the second year is a team option, but still, who was going to pay him 10 million per? Again, the Bulls just negotiating against themselves.

A two year 10 million extension I would of had no complaints about. Again, in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't disrupt anything, but again, just another decision among many bad decisions by the Bulls front office. And again, I like Zo, I really do. When healthy he is a hell of a fun player to watch, but the problem is, he will unlikely ever get back to full health ever again, and with whatever legs he has left in his career, I'd much rather he be contributor for a team that contends.

[kulaz3000]

love Lonzo and enjoy watching him play but I'm pretty disappointed we resigned him. I thought it was time to move on. I don't think he is a long term piece for this team. If we can somehow get a FRP for him next year then great but I don't see that happening. He's only going to sit out 40% of games and when he plays will help us win meaningless games over the next 2 years that will just hurt our draft stock.

He plays well the rest of the season, he’s likely gone by the draft or free agency.

This is what I would think if we had a competent front office. I hate to break it to you, but we don't have that.

We are a team that negotiates against ourselves. We are a team that doesn't know how to value picks. We are a team that loses out on basically every single trade we are involved in. We are a team that holds on to players for too long.

We just aren't a reasonably run franchise, as such, a reasonable move in the future is just wishful thinking. Think about that, I'd be happy with a reasonably run franchise and we are still far from even that.

[step]

It's actually an overpay considering his health condition. He's on a 20 mpg program with rest days.

But seeing as we have all these trade exceptions and a 2026 tank/cap-space plan, it's fine.

Agreed, considering his health issues 10 million per is an overpay still. Makes it more digestible because the second year is a team option, but still, who was going to pay him 10 million per? Again, the Bulls just negotiating against themselves.

This.

One can only hope this gives us leverage in the Giddey conversations... but who are we kidding. They'll just bid against themselves again...

[HoopsterJones]

Fair deal considering the second year is a team option.

[FriedRise]

The contract itself is great. Lonzo is a high impact player, and if he regains his 3pt shot as well as his ability to play regular minutes, he's a huge boost to any team. Dude is a true two-way player. 2/20M with a team option is a steal.

But the thing is though, do we need a player like that if we're trying to bottom out? This extension signals to me that AK has every intention to continue the direction of the team (i.e. 0 intention to tank). And if you're gonna do that anyway, why trade Zach?

I'm now just confused because I thought we've picked a lane.

[step]

love Lonzo and enjoy watching him play but I'm pretty disappointed we resigned him. I thought it was time to move on. I don't think he is a long term piece for this team. If we can somehow get a FRP for him next year then great but I don't see that happening. He's only going to sit out 40% of games and when he plays will help us win meaningless games over the next 2 years that will just hurt our draft stock.

He plays well the rest of the season, he’s likely gone by the draft or free agency.

This is what I would think if we had a competent front office. I hate to break it to you, but we don't have that.

We are a team that negotiates against ourselves. We are a team that doesn't know how to value picks. We are a team that loses out on basically every single trade we are involved in. We are a team that holds on to players for too long.

We just aren't a reasonably run franchise, as such, a reasonable move in the future is just wishful thinking. Think about that, I'd be happy with a reasonably run franchise and we are still far from even that.

Yep, I was about to pipe in to say the same.

We won't trade Lonzo when we should... need proof? Look at Caruso, Drummond, Demar... and now even Vuc.

[Ctownbulls]

They have to pay somebody next season...but I love it.

[NecessaryEvil]

The contract itself is great. Lonzo is a high impact player, and if he regains his 3pt shot as well as his ability to play regular minutes, he's a huge boost to any team. Dude is a true two-way player. 2/20M with a team option is a steal.

But the thing is though, do we need a player like that if we're trying to bottom out? This extension signals to me that AK has every intention to continue the direction of the team (i.e. 0 intention to tank). And if you're gonna do that anyway, why trade Zach?

I'm now just confused because I thought we've picked a lane.

Zo is only 27. This is essentially a 1 yr deal. With a pass first guy like he is, these other guys get really easy baskets. Great for pumping trade value

This Zo deal is a win, plus Chicago loves him

[kulaz3000]

The contract itself is great. Lonzo is a high impact player, and if he regains his 3pt shot as well as his ability to play regular minutes, he's a huge boost to any team. Dude is a true two-way player. 2/20M with a team option is a steal.

But the thing is though, do we need a player like that if we're trying to bottom out? This extension signals to me that AK has every intention to continue the direction of the team (i.e. 0 intention to tank). And if you're gonna do that anyway, why trade Zach?

I'm now just confused because I thought we've picked a lane.

Zo is only 27. This is essentially a 1 yr deal. With a pass first guy like he is, these other guys get really easy baskets. Great for pumping trade value

This Zo deal is a win, plus Chicago loves him

Again, in theory, we can harp on about building up a players value before we trade him, but when has this front office every made a trade and got value back? Let alone receive optimal trade value back at a players highest value. The answer is never. So to think like most people would, just isn't how this front office works. They aren't a forward thinking bunch, and have shown that they are always just reactionary, with the slowest reflexes on the planet.

I just can't see how anyone who is a Bulls fan can have faith in this front office.

[League Circles]

The contract itself is great. Lonzo is a high impact player, and if he regains his 3pt shot as well as his ability to play regular minutes, he's a huge boost to any team. Dude is a true two-way player. 2/20M with a team option is a steal.

But the thing is though, do we need a player like that if we're trying to bottom out? This extension signals to me that AK has every intention to continue the direction of the team (i.e. 0 intention to tank). And if you're gonna do that anyway, why trade Zach?

I'm now just confused because I thought we've picked a lane.

We've never been trying to bottom out. We're trying to get better, and 2-4 years from now is being valued more than this season or next, but Lonzo is plenty young and good enough to possibly be part of our long term future still tbh. Versatile glue guys like him can be huge if he's in a supporting role. Maybe that's exactly what he'll be here, say 2-4 years down the line. We traded Zach cause he's older, very expensive, and hasn't often played "winning" basketball historically. Lonzo is way cheaper, significantly younger, and more versatile.

[kodo]

I would say any core rotation spots and money should be spent on very young projects with some upside chance, but I love Lonzo so I'm happy to have someone to watch while we go through some ugly seasons.

Did we have to extend him now? Why not let him try in FA and then match/beat the offer. We have no idea any other team was willing to give him more than vet min.

[Rose2Boozer]

Looks like decent insurance for Lonzo and the Bulls organization. It's the perfect deal to let the market dictate Giddey's next contract.

[pipfan]

Great deal-you need vets and he seems like a leader. He won't impact our win total that much, and is a great trade piece in a year.

One of AKME's best moves, this extension

[GoBlue72391]

I don’t know how they watch what’s played out at this deadline and think they can get a 1st for Lonzo.

If he stays healthy and keeps playing like he is for another year and gets that 3-point percentage back up to 40+ like it was before he got hurt, he could easily fetch a late 1st to a contender. He impacts the game and contributes to winning more than the majority of non-star players.

Who’s the comparable player that’s returned a 1st rounder in recent years? I don’t think there is one.

I looked back to 2023 and beyond and excluding star players this is what I found:

- Hornets got Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 1st for P.J. Washington and two 2nds

- Wizards got Richaun Holmes and a 2024 1st for Daniel Gafford

- Hornets got Kyle Lowry and a 2027 1st lottery protected for Terry Rozier

- Blazers got Malcolm Brogdon, Bob Williams, a 2024 1st, and an unprotected 2029 1st for Jrue Holiday

- Wizards got Malcolm Brogon, Carlton Carrington, two 2nds, and a 2029 1st for Deni Avdija

I definitely think the best-case scenario Lonzo could be had for something like a non-lottery first and fillers and whatnot, maybe we'd also have to send a 2nd or something. If he's healthy and averaging like 10-12 PPG with his great defense and around a 40% 3-point shot he's going to look very appealing to contenders.

[Ice Man]

No GM except Nico Harrison is dumb enough to pay more for a Bull because that guy is getting layups from good passes, rather than not getting chances due to bad team passing.

Not that Lonzo plays enough or gets that many dimes to make this claim more than theoretical, but come on.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

love Lonzo and enjoy watching him play but I'm pretty disappointed we resigned him. I thought it was time to move on. I don't think he is a long term piece for this team. If we can somehow get a FRP for him next year then great but I don't see that happening. He's only going to sit out 40% of games and when he plays will help us win meaningless games over the next 2 years that will just hurt our draft stock.

He plays well the rest of the season, he’s likely gone by the draft or free agency.

This is what I would think if we had a competent front office. I hate to break it to you, but we don't have that.

We are a team that negotiates against ourselves. We are a team that doesn't know how to value picks. We are a team that loses out on basically every single trade we are involved in. We are a team that holds on to players for too long.

We just aren't a reasonably run franchise, as such, a reasonable move in the future is just wishful thinking. Think about that, I'd be happy with a reasonably run franchise and we are still far from even that.

I don't get the logic. So we're bidding against ourselves? Meaning no other team would willingly give Lonzo a 2/$20M deal with a TO. But you also think we instead could have traded him for some kind of value? Or would you rather have just let him walk after this season?

It's a gamble, but I'm sure the staff knows the kind of work he puts in. Best case scenario is that he returns to form and is an amazing asset. Worst case scenario is that he's injured again or playing badly but is taking up 6% our of cap, but could easily be moved as an expiring contract.

Edit: 2/$20 contract.