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

[JimmyButler21]

I’ll withhold judgment until post deadline. If Vuc and Coby are still here, I’m going to like this a lot less.

Get ready to like it a lot less

[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

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.

Oh I’m with you. I have no faith either

Hell, we got nothin for Zach technically and could of had this

Read on Twitter

[Guru]

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.

Very easy to have faith when he already built a great team.

[SirKaiser]

Barring any injuries, this is a great deal. We can afford to play Lonzo 20-25 minutes a game, in fact we need him to play to show the league how much he impacts the game for us. We can increase our chance of tanking by trading Vooch and playing Sanogo. Probably trade Coby too if we can get a 1st.

Ideally i see Lonzo being a part of this team's future for atleast the next couple years, along with Giddey, Matas, Ayo, and Smith. Williams is frustrating but he's still young and we'll probably be stuck with him for a while

[Red8911]

After Lonzo missed 2 years and Bulls being stuck with him for so long who would have thought that the Bulls would resign him again to a new contract.

10 mil with the team option on the 2nd year isn’t bad. I doubt any team would give him more at this point so it’s good for both sides.

[Ccwatercraft]

His FG% looks really bad but he's shot mostly threes, so his shooting, which has been his only shortcoming this season, isn't nearly as bad as it looks at a glance. I think he's a bit overrated as a playmaker, but he sure does make the right passes, is a very good ball handler, and I still consider him an excellent 3 position defender, his greatest strength.

Sums it up nicely, he checks a lit of boxes and now he's going to do it at half price and a team option. That's almost a perfect contract.

[Guru]

Ball is the smartest basketball player on the court every night. That means a lot when you are trying to develop young guys. Even if he's not playing every night put him on the bench and sit him between Buz and the lottery pick.

The offense we want to run is fast scoring and threes.. RUN RUN RUN. That fits Ball. That fits Giddey. That fits Buz. That fits Smith. That fits Ayo. Even Williams to an extent.

The offense flows with Ball and Giddey finding runners and Buz doesn't stop moving.

White and Vuc don't fit that as much but they are still such good scorers it doesn't matter.

I like starting rebuild with Ball-Giddey-Buz-Lotto Pick. Thats fun smart basketball.

This is probably what they run with next year and the rest of the year

1 Giddey 6'8 216 21 1 OPEN
2 Ball 6'6 190 26 3 Dosunmo 6'5 200 23 2
3 OPEN Terry 6'7 195 21 2 Phillips 6'8 198 20 3
4 Buzelis 6'10 209 19 5 Williams 6'7 215 21 5
5 OPEN Smith 6'9 215 24 3

1 Giddey 6'8 216 21 1 Jones 6'1 185 25 1 Carter 6'1 200 27 2
2 Ball 6'6 190 26 3 Dosunmo 6'5 200 23 2 Huerter 6'7 198 26 2 THT 6'4 234 24
3 White 6'5 195 23 2 Terry 6'7 195 21 2 Phillips 6'8 198 20 3
4 Buzelis 6'10 209 19 5 Williams 6'7 215 21 5
5 Vucevic 6'10 260 32 2 Smith 6'9 215 24 3 Collins 6'11 200 27 2

[Dan Z]

Free agency in summer 2026 has a lot of potential for us

What players are FA's in 2026? Luka...who else?

Out of that list who might realistically consider Chicago?

[Sinistar6]

Better percentage for masterplan operation unite the ball brothers.

[HomoSapien]

I like it. I don't see how a 2nd round pick is more valuable than him. He can be a tradeable asset as he proves his health... especially on a bargain contract. Biggest issue is that he might hurt the tank.

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

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.

What separates Lonzo from these comps (aside from the obv non-comp in Jrue Holiday) is that it’s almost impossible to project him as a full time starter. He probably won’t average 30 mpg or play in back to backs and he’s never had a 65 game season. He has awesome per minute impact, but there’s a hard ceiling on his total impact because of injury management. Which makes him a high-level utility player. It’s hard to see a team forking over a first for that. And chasing the outside chance he returns late 1st value doesn’t justify hurting our draft odds.

Like I said early thread, I’m a lot more interested in this if Coby and Vuc go tomorrow. But signing Lonzo as a minor asset play - or a ‘mentor’ - is an indulgence the Bulls can’t afford if he and other win-now players are driving this team to 35 wins.

[DropStep]

I like it. I don't see how a 2nd round pick is more valuable than him. He can be a tradeable asset as he proves his health... especially on a bargain contract. Biggest issue is that he might hurt the tank.

This is key. The floor of this trade is if he gets hurt again. Then we pay him about the same for a year of tankable good vibes as we did for a year of Cristiano Felicio holding the bench down. But what about the ceiling? He's a lottery ticket. With another year of improving performance and health and maybe even playing back-to-backs, making half as much as he does now, and with that juicy team option tacked on the end? He had trade interest this year with none of that. Best (best!) case, he could easily bring a FRP next February, maybe more. Good players on reasonable contracts bring the picks to the yard in the NBA right now, with the extreme example obviously being Mikal Bridges. And now, I see Mark Williams brought a haul. It's not because he's an all-star, it's because he doesn't make any money. I think even the second-apron Suns, for example, could trade a Royce O'Neal for Zo 1-for-1 if he was on his contract extension right now. "Easily movable" applies - it shouldn't be hard to match that salary with anyone you have sitting around, and that's gold for contenders.

[JimmyButler21]

Very easy to have faith when he already built a great team.

Are you talking about the Nuggets or the 3 months against bad competition in 2021? Not only did they play bad competition but it was still during the height of COVID which made results more whacky with guys sitting out and canceled games for some teams and not for others. That 3 month sample size should not give anyone faith.

[Muzbar]

Very easy to have faith when he already built a great team.

Are you talking about the Nuggets or the 3 months against bad competition in 2021? Not only did they play bad competition but it was still during the height of COVID which made results more whacky with guys sitting out and canceled games for some teams and not for others. That 3 month sample size should not give anyone faith.

Sometimes delusion can be seen as faith.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

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.

What separates Lonzo from these comps (aside from the obv non-comp in Jrue Holiday) is that it’s almost impossible to project him as a full time starter. He probably won’t average 30 mpg or play in back to backs and he’s never had a 65 game season. He has awesome per minute impact, but there’s a hard ceiling on his total impact because of injury management. Which makes him a high-level utility player. It’s hard to see a team forking over a first for that. And chasing the outside chance he returns late 1st value doesn’t justify hurting our draft odds.

Like I said early thread, I’m a lot more interested in this if Coby and Vuc go tomorrow. But signing Lonzo as a minor asset play - or a ‘mentor’ - is an indulgence the Bulls can’t afford if he and other win-now players are driving this team to 35 wins.

What's the difference between Lonzo and a 1st round pick? It's the same gamble. It's the same hope. Obviously Lonzo is a bit older and making more money. But he's also proved himself in this league. Can he stay healthly?

Once again, I find hypocrisy in the naysayers of this deal. So he's playing well and hurting our draft pick odds, or he's an injury prone waste of a contract that's not hurting our odds. Which is it? He can't be both.

And if he's playing well enough to "hurt our odds", then he's just become an amazing asset in a trade. If he's not, then he's an expiring contract to move next season that's taking up 6.4% of our expected cap.

What's the better option?

[WesPeace]

Kinda expected deal, good deal for both parties.. and if things dont go well, health wise,its small cheap contract OR if team is really falling apart, easily tradeable next deadline.. Lonzo is better than any 2nd rounder for sure in a potential deals we received, also he is youngish enough to play with this roster.

[Muzbar]

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.

What separates Lonzo from these comps (aside from the obv non-comp in Jrue Holiday) is that it’s almost impossible to project him as a full time starter. He probably won’t average 30 mpg or play in back to backs and he’s never had a 65 game season. He has awesome per minute impact, but there’s a hard ceiling on his total impact because of injury management. Which makes him a high-level utility player. It’s hard to see a team forking over a first for that. And chasing the outside chance he returns late 1st value doesn’t justify hurting our draft odds.

Like I said early thread, I’m a lot more interested in this if Coby and Vuc go tomorrow. But signing Lonzo as a minor asset play - or a ‘mentor’ - is an indulgence the Bulls can’t afford if he and other win-now players are driving this team to 35 wins.

What's the difference between Lonzo and a 1st round pick? It's the same gamble. It's the same hope. Obviously Lonzo is a bit older and making more money. But he's also proved himself in this league. Can he stay healthly?

Once again, I find hypocrisy in the naysayers of this deal. So he's playing well and hurting our draft pick odds, or he's an injury prone waste of a contract that's not hurting our odds. Which is it?

Yes.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

What separates Lonzo from these comps (aside from the obv non-comp in Jrue Holiday) is that it’s almost impossible to project him as a full time starter. He probably won’t average 30 mpg or play in back to backs and he’s never had a 65 game season. He has awesome per minute impact, but there’s a hard ceiling on his total impact because of injury management. Which makes him a high-level utility player. It’s hard to see a team forking over a first for that. And chasing the outside chance he returns late 1st value doesn’t justify hurting our draft odds.

Like I said early thread, I’m a lot more interested in this if Coby and Vuc go tomorrow. But signing Lonzo as a minor asset play - or a ‘mentor’ - is an indulgence the Bulls can’t afford if he and other win-now players are driving this team to 35 wins.

What's the difference between Lonzo and a 1st round pick? It's the same gamble. It's the same hope. Obviously Lonzo is a bit older and making more money. But he's also proved himself in this league. Can he stay healthly?

Once again, I find hypocrisy in the naysayers of this deal. So he's playing well and hurting our draft pick odds, or he's an injury prone waste of a contract that's not hurting our odds. Which is it?

Yes.

I applaud your directness and sincerity.

[coldfish]

Terrible, terrible deal. Watch him get injured for the next year and a half.

I'm not sure there is even a point to following the Bulls anymore with AKME at the helm. They just don't learn their lessons. They are like Charlie Brown kicking the football.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Terrible, terrible deal. Watch him get injured for the next year and a half.

I'm not sure there is even a point to following the Bulls anymore with AKME at the helm. They just don't learn their lessons. They are like Charlie Brown kicking the football.

How or why is it a terrible deal? Its fantastic.1 year + 1year team option. Its effectively 10 mil.

Are the Bulls contending next year? Are the Bulls cap stricken to miss out on a major free agent? If the answer is no, then having Zo is fantastic as just a buffer for the young guys and insurance on someone like Giddey.

If things don't turn out great - who cares? Its 10 mil and we can decline him after.