Lonzo Ball is the newest point guard for the Chicago Bulls heading into the new season. The Bulls have been very active during this offseason, rebuilding the team around Zach LaVine, who is in a contract year and will have the opportunity to leave if he is unsatisfied with the direction the franchise is going in.
Lonzo has had a tough career in the NBA so far but has shown improvement over the years. His tough stint with the Lakers ended when they traded him to New Orleans as part of the Anthony Davis trade. And while he enjoyed more success in NOLA, he still didn’t figure into the plans of the franchise as much as Ingram or Williamson.
One factor for his struggles in New Orleans was him not getting to run the offense. The Pelicans put the ball in Zion’s hand, and let him run the offense over Zion. And it turns out, Lonzo will get that opportunity to be a traditional point guard in Chicago.
During the Bulls’ media day yesterday, Lonzo was asked whether his role would be that similar to a traditional point guard this season compared to the post-play he had to do in New Orleans. Lonzo revealed that Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has asked him to be the point guard, but he is happy to do whatever the coach asks of him.
“Yeah definitely. Talking to Billy, getting back to being more of a traditional point guard. I know what I’m comfortable at. Last year was different for me. But whatever the coach asks of me, I’m going to do to the best of my abilities. This year is looking like I’m going to be playing point guard a lot. So that’s what I’m going to try to do”
Ball last played for the New Orleans Pelicans, where had formed a solid young trio with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. But the franchise chose to let him go in order to pursue a more experienced point guard.
Ball signing with the Bulls adds to their new roster. The Bulls have an impressive projected starting 5 with Lonzo, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vucevic. With this lineup, many fans expect the Bulls to get a playoff spot this season, breaking their streak of 4 consecutive years without making the playoffs.
