Lonzo Ball may welcome a fresh start

Lonzo Ball's tenure with the Chicago Bulls has never got off the ground. He joined the franchise in 2021, playing in 35 games before a knee injury took him out of action for two years. Now, the former second overall draft pick is trying to rebuild his career and his value around the league, although he's already being hampered by a wrist injury.

The Bulls are in the early stages of a reset. This summer, they parted ways with Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, adding Josh Giddey in the process. They are still expected to explore trade options for Ball, Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine. 

According to Marc Stein, who was writing in Sunday's edition of "The Stein Line" newsletter, Ball is potentially the Bulls' most tradable asset due to his expiring contract. 

"Chicago is open to trading Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball before the deadline," Stein reported. "Ball is on a $21.4 million expiring contract and thus theoretically the most tradeable, but Vucevic — twice an All-Star previously — is playing at an All-Star level again at 34."

Ball may welcome a fresh start. He needs an opportunity to play himself back into shape and prove he's still one of the best playmakers and perimeter defenders in the NBA. He can't do that when coming off the bench as the Bulls continue to run the rule over Giddey and his potential for leading the franchise forward.

However, the Bulls must accept they will need to sell low if they choose to part with Ball. He's an injury risk coming off a two-year absence and has yet to show he can still be the player the Bulls acquired back in 2021. 

If Chicago can receive a couple of second-round picks or young talent in need of a fresh start and a second chance, that may be enough to end Ball's tenure in the Windy City. Chicago needs to amass trade assets, so it can't be too picky if Ball is the center of discussions. 

A potential trade could be the best thing for both sides. However, it would entail both parties accepting that the experiment failed and that it's time to move on. Sometimes, that's easier said than done. 

If the Bulls are serious about rebuilding, and Ball wants to earn another payday in the NBA, the Feb. 6 trade deadline may be the best chance both of them have to put their best foot forward.