The Chicago Bulls have reached an extension with Lonzo Ball, the veteran point guard, just hours before the NBA trade deadline. According to K.C. Johnson, Ball is finalizing a deal worth $20.0 million over two years, with a team option in the second year.
Ball was heavily speculated to be traded by several teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves, but the Bulls are reportedly not eager to let him go. The 25-year-old has made an impressive comeback from a knee injury, averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in his last 29 games.
The extension is considered a low-risk, high-reward move for the Bulls. By keeping Ball on a team-friendly contract with a reduced salary of $10.0 million per year, the team has minimized its financial risk while maximizing its potential gain. However, some analysts question whether this decision indicates a lack of urgency to pursue change in the front office.
The deal includes a team option in Year 2, allowing the Bulls to potentially re-evaluate Ball’s value if he struggles to perform at his former level. While the contract is inexpensive and could prove valuable as a trade chip for a franchise entering rebuild mode, some wonder whether the Bulls should have explored trading Ball altogether.
Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/02/05/lonzo-ball-extension