Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball may not play during the 2022-23 campaign.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday on NBA Countdown that there are "no guarantees" Ball plays at all this season as he's still experiencing pain while rehabbing his knee injury.

"I think the hope is that, perhaps by the All-Star break in mid-February, they have a sense of whether Lonzo Ball is ready to come back and play for Chicago," Wojnarowski said. "A lot of that may depend on where are the Bulls in the standings."

Ball only played 35 games last season after being diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee in January. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and was initially expected to miss just six-to-eight weeks.

However, bad news emerged in March that the 24-year-old's knee had not responded well to rehab:

He was ruled out for the season on April 6, one day after Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said Ball was still experiencing discomfort in his knee:

More bad news dropped on Sept. 21 when the Bulls announced that the UCLA product would undergo another procedure that would keep him out for an extended period of time:

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic provided more encouraging news:

However, with the recent update from Wojnarowski, it appears that we may not see Ball until the 2023-24 campaign.

The Bulls have turned to Goran Dragić, Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso and Coby White at the point so far this season, but Ball's absence has been felt as Chicago is currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-15 record.

Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević are doing everything they can to carry the team's offense in Ball's absence.

The Chicago Bulls are 10-14 and have lost eight of their past 12 games. That has them in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, a spot that wouldn't even get the team a berth for the NBA Play-In Tournament at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Is it time to start thinking about Chicago being a seller at the Feb. 9 trade deadline? Or is it still too early for that?

Either way, the rumor mill continues to churn, and some key Bulls players are getting featured in the buzz. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, some teams are keeping an eye on the situation in Chicago.

"Many NBA executives I've spoken to around the league are closely monitoring the Bulls since they've underwhelmed so far and Lonzo Ball's health is a major question mark," he wrote.

Scotto reported that there was "a lot of interest" in DeMar DeRozan and that some will likely be keen on Zach LaVine. Nikola Vučević is also a player who may emerge in trade buzz.

"His value since coming to Chicago has gone down comparatively to when Chicago made that blockbuster trade to get him," Scotto wrote of the Montenegrin.

With all of these talented players on the Bulls' roster, it's a bit surprising they haven't played better early in the season. They ended a four-year playoff drought last year, and it seemed likely they would build off that showing.

Instead, Chicago hasn't strung together more than two consecutive wins through its first 24 games. It's been on the wrong end of quite a few competitive matchups, too.

Still, it may be just a bit too early for the team to consider trading any of DeRozan, LaVine or Vučević. They may not have Ball, but they have a solid core of players with proven track records who should be faring better as a unit.

If Chicago insists on trading one, Vučević would likely be the best choice.

The 32-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the season, and his numbers are down a bit. He would bring a smaller return, but DeRozan and LaVine are more important to the Bulls' long-term future.

Sure, DeRozan and LaVine could land Chicago sizable return packages likely featuring some substantial draft capital. But the Bulls are also only a half-game out of a play-in spot and two-and-a-half games back of the Indiana Pacers, who are at No. 6 in the East.

That's why the next two months will be important for Chicago. If things really spiral out of control, then it may be wiser for the team to explore these trade markets. The situation will be clearer at that point.

For now, though, Chicago should hold onto its core players and try to get its season on track. The Bulls have talent, so they just need to do a better job of going out and showing it in games.

The New York Knicks may have to wait if they want to explore a potential trade for Zach LaVine.

During a discussion on what New York may do to maximize its roster this season, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Chicago Bulls guard "certainly isn't now" available but suggested perhaps he will be ahead of the trade deadline.

LaVine was brought up in the context of the Knicks perhaps regretting that they were unable to land Donovan Mitchell in a trade this past offseason.

Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson make up a formidable trio, but New York likely doesn't have the star power to realistically challenge the top teams in the Eastern Conference come playoff time.

And the postseason is anything but a guarantee considering it is 12-13 and in ninth place in the early Eastern Conference standings.

That is better than the Bulls, though, who are 10-14 and in 12th place as one of the most disappointing teams in the league. Chicago made the playoffs last season and has some star power with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, but things have not clicked to this point.

It also doesn't help that Lonzo Ball is yet to play this season with a knee injury.

Perhaps the losing will continue to a point that the Bulls decide their best option is to look ahead to the future and move on from their current core. That could mean trading DeRozan, LaVine or both, and the Knicks are one potential landing spot.

The UCLA product was an All-Star in each of the past two seasons and is averaging 22.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game behind 42.2 percent shooting from the field and 36.2 percent shooting from deep in 2022-23.

While LaVine is known for his electrifying dunks, he can also hit from the outside and attack the lane to either score or set up his teammates.

Chicago surely hopes to make a run with plenty of time remaining in the season if it is not looking to move LaVine, but it will eventually have to turn things around if that is the path it chooses.

Otherwise, it may make more sense to trade some of the core.

The Chicago Bulls and center Nikola Vučević have reportedly made little progress on a potential contract extension.

"I think right now with Vučević, those talks on an extension have not really gained any traction," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Friday.

Vučević is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's making $22 million in the final year of his four-year, $100 million contract originally signed with the Orlando Magic.

An All-Star in two of his final three years in Orlando, Vučević has struggled to maintain that high level of play with the Bulls. He's averaging 16.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists over his first 22 appearances this season. The scoring output is his lowest since 2016-17, and his 12.9 shot attempts per game are his lowest since 2013-14.

“I really don’t think about it too much,” Vučević said of his contract status, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “I think the front office kind of wants to see how everything goes this season before they make decisions. That’s part of it.

“If I was younger, I might think about it more. But now I just play and see what happens. It also helps that I’ve been doing this for so long that teams know what I do, how good I am, what I bring to the table. In my mind, I don’t think this year is going to change the perception people have of me. You just play and things take care of themselves usually.”

Should the Bulls decide to not re-sign Vučević, it would be an admission of failure from the front office. Chicago gave up Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round picks, including a 2023 selection that's only protected in picks 1-4. With the Bulls sitting at a disappointing 9-13, it's possible they'll be giving up a high lottery pick next summer for a player who won't even be on their roster.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Vučević. ESPN's Zach Lowe reported the Lakers have had internal conversations about potentially trading for Vučević and DeMar DeRozan. That scenario would require a desire from the Bulls front office to rebuild the roster, given Russell Westbrook and future first-round picks is all the Lakers have to offer in trade packages.

It's an unlikely scenario, but Vučević's status bears monitoring.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had "internal discussions" about the possibility of trading for Chicago Bulls stars DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević.

ESPN's Zach Lowe reported that news on the latest edition of the Lowe Post podcast (h/t RealGM and Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago).

"The trade I saw on Twitter was Russ and both picks, one with light protections I think, for DeRozan and Vučević," Lowe said on his podcast.

"I can tell you 100 percent for sure the Lakers have had internal discussions about that very possibility [trading for DeRozan and Vučević] if it would ever come up.

"Not that they [the Lakers] would do it, let me be clear. Just, you look around the league, like any responsible team would."

The picks in reference are an unprotected 2027 first-rounder and a 2029 first-rounder (top-five-protected) in conjunction with guard Russell Westbrook.

Lowe was referencing Twitter speculation from The Ringer's Bill Simmons, who suggested that Chicago should start its rebuilding process.

The Bulls and Lakers are both in need of shake-ups.

Chicago is sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 9-12 record, one year after winning just one playoff game following a sixth-place finish.

Still, DeRozan has been tremendous. The 33-year-old has averaged 26.3 points on 52.0 percent shooting, 4.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the Bulls. Vučević is posting double-double numbers with 15.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per matchup.

Meanwhile, the 8-12 Lakers have won six of their last eight games but still reside 13th in the Western Conference. Westbrook, whose contract runs out following this season after he picked up his $47.1 million option, has been demoted to the bench and averages 15.0 points on 39.9 percent shooting.

His expiring contract and the two first-round picks arguably serve as the team's best tradable assets. The Lakers could continue their push to compete around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while the Bulls could begin anew with a younger core.

For now, the Lakers and Bulls are scuffling through the beginning part of the season as they hope for brighter days.

The Chicago Bulls have a talented roster, but the team has struggled to find consistency to start the season. Chicago's flaws were on full display on Wednesday night in a 124-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

The Bulls trailed by as many as 26 during their third consecutive loss, which dropped them to 6-9. It was an abysmal showing against a Pelicans team that was without star forward Zion Williamson, who missed his second straight game with a foot injury.

To add to the disappointment of Wednesday's effort, the Bulls were off since Sunday and had ample time to rest, while the Pelicans were playing the second leg of a back-to-back. It was a surprise to see Chicago play with such a lack of urgency to try to end its skid.

DeMar DeRozan led the way with 28 points and Zach LaVine added 25, while Nikola Vucevic notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. No other player on the team made much of an impact on offense, and the team's defense was nonexistent as New Orleans shot 50.6 percent from the field and 51.5 percent from three-point range.

NBA Twitter didn't hold back its disdain for the Bulls' pitiful showing on Wednesday:

It's still early in the season, but the Bulls should be concerned. Chicago scored over 100 points in each of its last three losses, but the team is allowing opponents to average 121.7 points in that span. The team will need to address its defensive woes if it hopes to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls will try to bounce back when they host the Orlando Magic (4-11) on Friday.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Friday that point guard Lonzo Ball, who has been out since January with a knee injury, has improved since his latest surgery.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago relayed the details.

"He feels a lot freer than he did prior to the surgery...Obviously, he’s a ways away from running and cutting and doing all those things," Donovan added. "But there is optimism that this hopefully has helped him."

Ball had surgery in late September, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. He provided a further update at the time:

Donovan didn't have many details one month later when asked about Ball.

Ball was diagnosed with a bone bruise and small meniscus tear in his left knee in January. He underwent surgery that month but experienced a setback in March that eventually ended his season.

In August, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reported that Ball's progress had been "slow" and that his return for the beginning of the season "remains in question."

Unfortunately, Ball was confirmed out for the beginning of the campaign when the Bulls announced Sept. 21 that he would undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee and be reevaluated within four-to-six weeks.

Ball, who joined the Bulls on a four-year, $80 million contract during the 2021 offseason, averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 35 games last year. Chicago went 22-13 with him in the lineup and 24-23 otherwise.

Chicago has turned to Ayo Dosunmu to start in place of Ball this year. The ex-Illinois star has averaged 12.5 points on 50.0 percent shooting for the 5-4 Bulls.