Chicago Bulls DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has signed a new deal with the organization on Wednesday. Ball has agreed on a two-year, $20 million extension with the team. It seemed increasingly likely that Ball was going to be moved ahead of the trade deadline. However, the Bulls have decided to keep the 27-year-old guard who has played very well this season. Ball has been sidelined throughout a majority of his time in Chicago, but is now finally able to contribute on the court. He'll likely see an increased role in the rotation with Zach LaVine being traded to the Sacramento Kings.

Chicago Bulls guardLonzo Ball(knee) will not play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Ball will be missing in action due to injury management of his left knee. The 27-year-old has a lengthy history playing in just 30 games this season, so keeping him out of the second leg of back-to-back sets is precautionary. While Ball is sidelined, Coby WhiteandAyo Dosunmu will likely take on extra minutes during Wednesday's contest.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bulls, Kings, and Spurs agreed to a three-team trade on Sunday, resulting in guard Kevin Huerter, guard Tre Jones, and forward/center Zach Collins heading to Chicago. Also included in the trade; the Kings will acquire guard Zach LaVine and guard Sidy Cissoko, with the Spurs obtaining guard De'Aaron Fox and guard Jordan McLaughlin. Huerter played in Atlanta for four seasons before most recently suiting up for the Kings. He had the best year of his career in 2022-23, averaging 15.2 points and 40.2% shooting from behind the arc. However, the 2018 No. 19 overall pick has struggled since then, and he was also limited to 64 games last season due to a shoulder injury. But with Chicago now without LaVine, there is room in the lineup for others to step up. While LaVine's departure likely means Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vucevic (assuming he remains on the roster) will see more scoring opportunities, Huerter has an excellent chance of being more productive as long as he remains healthy.

Chicago Bulls guard Talen Horton-Tucker (leg) has been downgraded to questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Horton-Tucker suffered a lower leg injury on Wednesday and as a result he didn't play on Friday. If he sits on Sunday, Josh Giddey, Coby White, and even Dalen Terry could see additional playing time. However, Horton-Tucker is only averaging 11 minutes per game this season, so his absence doesn't mean too much right now.

Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Smith is in danger of missing his first game since late December. His absence wouldn't be a huge problem considering he has only been playing minutes in the teens lately. That being said, Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry, and possibly Adama Sanogo would see additional playing time if Smith is unavailable to play. However, none of those players are ideal streaming choices even with an extended look.