Bulls still in on Lonzo Ball after Nikola Vučević move
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Bulls still in on Lonzo Ball after Nikola Vučević move
The Bulls own the 2021 NBA trade deadline’s loudest move so far with news Thursday morning that they are acquiring Nikola Vučević from the Orlando Magic in a trade involving Wendell Carter Jr. and first-round picks.
And they may not be done yet.
Per NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, the Bulls’ move for Vučević doesn’t take them out of the chase for the New Orleans Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball, who’s been linked to the team in trade talks for weeks.
With two first-round picks (2021, 2023) out the door in the Vučević deal, the earliest first-round pick the Bulls could flip in any other trade would be in 2025.
A Lauri Markkanen-for-Ball swap has long been rumored and lines up financially. Whether that construction, or a different one, comes to fruition remains to be seen. Ball, like Markkanen, is due for restricted free agency this offseason.
In 38 appearances for New Orleans this season, Ball is averaging 14.2 points, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point range.
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