NEWSLETTER
Now that the initial shock of the Josh Giddey/Alex Caruso swap has settled in, the next step in the process is to map out how Giddey fits in with this group and what it could mean for the rest of the roster. While one could argue the Bulls didn’t get enough back in terms of draft capital, Giddey is an intriguing piece with a lot of upside. However, his style of play doesn’t necessarily fit alongside Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan.
While we can infer what it might mean all we want, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski practically flat-out told us in a post on X following the announcement of the trade (emphasis mine):
“The Bulls have been determined to find a playmaker to replace Lonzo Ball, and Giddey , 21, comes with an All-Star potential that would unlikely be realized with the Thunder because of the playmaking starpower who surrounded him. The Bulls will offer him an opportunity to have the ball in his hands and so much more freedom pass and score.”
What’s Next For Lonzo Ball After Josh Giddey’s Arrival?
Woj told us that we probably don’t have to envision how Giddey might fit on the roster with Lonzo because the Bulls view him as Ball’s replacement. Both are ball-dominant, pass-first guards who are best when asked to facilitate. It’s pretty easy to see how they might not necessarily fit on the court together.
So what does that mean for Ball’s current standing with the organization?
We know Ball has worked incredibly hard to get back on the court next season, and by all accounts, it seems like he will get there in some capacity. But Woj’s comment leads us to believe that it either A) won’t be with the Bulls or B) could be in a very limited role.
Honestly, I have a hard time believing Option A. And for a couple of reasons.
First, Lonzo is owed $20 million next year. I don’t really envision a team wanting to take that on (at least in the offseason) when his health is such an unknown. Now, could he be a potential trade deadline chip as an expiring contract? Sure. But moving him this offseason without having to attach assets (which the Bulls are light on, anyway) seems like a tall task.
There’s always the option of buying out Ball. The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry suggested that in a recent article:
“Giddey’s acquisition also further clouds the Bulls’ plans for Ball, who hasn’t played since January 2022 but is expected to make a comeback next season. It’s impossible to not view Giddey as insurance in case Ball doesn’t return. By bringing in Giddey, Chicago also might have signaled they’re ready to move on from Ball. A trade or buyout could be likely.”
Still, I just don’t see the Bulls paying Ball to go away right now. I have a much easier time believing Ball comes back to the Bulls in a limited role. Asking a player who hasn’t played in an NBA game for nearly two years (and is recovering from a meniscus transplant and nerve damage in his knee) to come in right away, start, and play 30+ minutes a night was likely never on the table. But for years it felt like Chicago held out hope Ball could become a part of the plans again. This trade implies that is no longer the case, and they may merely allow him to get his feet back under him before leaving next summer in free agency.
Is it possible they still get off the contract? Sure, they obviously need the financial flexibility to help reshape this roster. But I really have a hard time seeing it. The only avenue that could present itself is if a multi-team deal needs some salary filler and the Bulls are willing to help out. Even then, however, the last thing this front office should do is attach assets to get off an expiring deal, especially if they’re entering a rebuild of sorts.
In the immediate future, I’m not totally sure how the dominos will fall. All we really can feel confident about is that Arturas Karnisovas likely isn’t done making changes to the roster. Whether we love the changes or not, at least this first move indicates that the front office knows this group wasn’t working and is actually committed to trying something new.
