Former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball could be leaving the Chicago Bulls in short order, with a buyout very possible this summer. Lonzo Ball has struggled to stay healthy since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, playing 35 games in the past three seasons. A knee injury (and surgery) has meant Ball has been non-existent on the court and the Bulls are looking to move on completely.
Ball, who averages 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game for his career, will make $21,395,348 next season but a buyout means he will be an immediately available commodity for seven NBA teams needing improved playmaking and size at the point guard position as he hopefully returns to the court in the 2024-25 season.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers, in their quest for another championship in LeBron’s final few seasons (assuming he re-signs), could greatly benefit from Lonzo Ball’s versatile skill set. His exceptional court vision and defensive prowess would add depth to their backcourt, providing the team with a reliable playmaker and perimeter defender.
With the Lakers often plagued by injuries in recent seasons, Lonzo’s ability to run the offense smoothly in the absence of key players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be invaluable. Additionally, Lonzo’s familiarity with the Lakers organization and Los Angeles environment could make for a seamless transition back to his former team who took him No. 2 overall in the 2017 Draft.
In terms of fit, Lonzo Ball’s pass-first mentality and defensive tenacity align well with the Lakers’ playing style, which emphasizes strong defense and fast-break opportunities. Playing alongside stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the 26-year-old Ball could take on the primary playmaking duties, allowing LeBron to focus more on scoring and facilitating in critical moments.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets would find Lonzo Ball to be an ideal addition to their roster, especially considering their aspirations to build on their second-round exit this past season. Lonzo’s defensive acumen and playmaking ability would significantly enhance the team’s backcourt depth, providing a perfect complement to star center Nikola Jokic and an excellent backup to Jamal Murray.
His ability to push the pace and facilitate offense in transition aligns well with Denver’s fast-paced style of play, which thrives on quick ball movement and high-efficiency scoring opportunities. Incorporating Lonzo into a lineup that already features the dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray could elevate the Nuggets to new heights.
Lonzo’s ability to run the offense allows Murray to play off the ball more, leveraging his scoring prowess. Reggie Jackson, Murray’s primary backup this season, is a free agent and Lonzo Ball could be a perfect backup option for the team if he is healthy for the majority of the 2024-25 season.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat, known for their tenacious defense and team-first mentality, would greatly benefit from adding Lonzo Ball to their roster. His defensive versatility and high basketball IQ align perfectly with the Heat’s culture and playing style. Lonzo’s ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes would enhance Miami’s already formidable defense.
Additionally, his playmaking skills would provide a much-needed boost to the Heat’s offensive creativity, ensuring that star players like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have easier scoring opportunities. In the Heat’s system, Lonzo Ball would fit seamlessly alongside their star players, facilitating ball movement and spacing the floor with his improved shooting.
His unselfish play and willingness to do the dirty work on defense would endear him to both the coaching staff and teammates. With Lonzo handling more of the playmaking duties, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler could focus more on scoring and leading the team in clutch moments, while Bam Adebayo could operate more freely in the paint.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks could also find Lonzo Ball to be a valuable addition as cover for the superstar point guard Damian Lillard. Ball’s defensive prowess and ability to facilitate the offense would complement the team’s existing strengths. Lonzo’s knack for initiating fast breaks and finding open teammates in transition aligns perfectly with Milwaukee’s emphasis on fast-paced, efficient offense.
His presence would also alleviate some of the playmaking pressure on Giannis, allowing the MVP to focus more on scoring and dominating the paint. His three-point shooting (36.4% over his career ) would provide much-needed spacing, making it harder for opponents to collapse on Giannis. Defensively, Lonzo’s ability to guard multiple positions would enhance Milwaukee’s switch-heavy defensive schemes, providing more flexibility in matchups.
Playing alongside established stars like Giannis and Dame, Lonzo would thrive in a role that emphasizes his strengths as a playmaker and defender, potentially pushing the Bucks closer to another championship with his sheer presence on the depth chart.
Philadephia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers, aiming to solidify their status as Eastern Conference contenders, could greatly benefit from Lonzo Ball’s talents. Even if Ball won’t be a priority signing over players such as Paul George or OG Anunoby for the 76ers, Ball’s ability to orchestrate the offense and play stout defense would address key areas of need for the Sixers.
Lonzo’s knack for making smart decisions with the ball and his proficiency in running the pick-and-roll would enhance the effectiveness of Joel Embiid, the team’s dominant center. After all, Lonzo was taken No. 2 overall because of his high basketball IQ on the court.
Additionally, Lonzo’s defensive skills would help the Sixers contain opposing guards, a crucial factor in deep playoff runs. Integrating Lonzo Ball into a lineup featuring Joel Embiid and James Harden would provide a significant boost to the 76ers’ overall play. Lonzo’s playmaking would allow Harden to focus more on scoring, while his defensive capabilities would support Embiid in protecting the paint.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns, with their championship aspirations, would find Lonzo Ball to be a perfect addition to their roster. His playmaking ability and defensive versatility would provide significant upgrades to their backcourt. Lonzo’s skill in pushing the pace and facilitating offense would fit seamlessly with the Suns’ up-tempo style of play.
His ability to find open shooters and execute in transition would complement the scoring prowess of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, making the Suns’ offense even more potent. Lonzo Ball’s addition to the Suns would enhance their star-studded lineup by providing a reliable secondary playmaker and perimeter defender.
The Suns desperately needed a natural point guard this season because Devin Booker and Bradley Beal simply did not cut it. Booker did a great job by averaging 6.9 assists per game, but he should be relying on scoring while Ball finds his way into the starting lineup to push the pace better than the Suns did with their 10th-ranked offense in 2023-24 (116.2 PPG).
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors, fresh off a season of rebuilding, could greatly benefit from Lonzo Ball’s unique skill set alongside Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. Ball’s defensive prowess and playmaking ability would address some of the team’s most pressing needs. Lonzo’s ability to initiate fast breaks and create scoring opportunities for his teammates aligns well with the Raptors’ preference for a dynamic, fast-paced style of play.
His versatility on defense would also fit perfectly with Toronto’s switch-heavy defensive schemes. Lonzo Ball’s fit with the Raptors would be seamless, given the team’s emphasis on versatility and unselfish play. No doubt, Lonzo’s defensive capabilities would also bolster the Raptors’ perimeter defense, making them a more formidable opponent in the East since the player averages 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per game for his career.
