There were differing opinions on the Chicago Bulls’ choice to trade Alex Caruso.

On the one hand, it’s about time for the Bulls to rebuild.

However, it appeared as though they could have received more in exchange.

Although Josh Giddey has occasionally displayed excellent play, his worth has recently been declining because it didn’t look like he would work well next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In addition, his worth has been negatively impacted by his inability to score goals and make outside shots.

Nevertheless, it’s said that the Australian playmaker wants payment from his next contract.

Giddey is hoping for a new contract that will pay him about $30 million year, according to a report by Jake Fischer (via NBA Central).

Josh Giddey is reportedly seeking $30 million per year on his next deal, per @JakeLFischer

“Immanuel Quickley’s five-year, $175 million deal with Toronto this past summer has set a benchmark for young guards around the NBA. Josh Giddey is said to be seeking at least $30 million… pic.twitter.com/g77J0lyh8U

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 19, 2024

Giddey appears to be hoping to capitalize on the perception that Immanuel Quickley’s $175 million, five-year deal extension has raised the bar for rookie guards.

But before making that kind of financial commitment, the Bulls want to see how Giddey performs and fits with his club.

Giddey is a high-risk lottery selection with past experience, and the Bulls have been without a conventional point guard for some time.

Although Lonzo Ball is returning to form, he will be limited in how many minutes he plays, and injuries will always be a big worry for him. For this reason, it would be wise for them to maintain an insurance policy.

Additionally, they may easily match any possible offer he receives because he is scheduled to become a restricted free agent.

The trio of Bulls players most impacted by Lonzo Ball’s comeback.

Following a two-and-a-half-season absence and a wait of just over a thousand days, Lonzo Ball is back on the court for the Chicago Bulls.

Ball shot 50% from three-point range in his 15 minutes on the court on October 16 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing with 10 points, one rebound, one assist, one block, and one steal.

LONZO BALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER 2 YEARS 😭

THEN HITS HIS 1ST SHOT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zCxUiJZGOZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 17, 2024

The road to Ball’s comeback has been a difficult one, starting with the initial meniscus tear he sustained on January 14, 2022, during a game against the Golden State Warriors, and ending earlier this week.

His road back to the league included meniscus surgery, an arthroscopic debridement, a cartilage transplant in his left knee, and brief bouts of anguish and disappointment.

Ball discussed his return to the court with the media after the Bulls defeated the Wolves 125-123.

Playing felt so much better than watching. It was impossible for me to express how it felt to be outside. I will always remember that moment for sure.

Ball’s return to the court affects a number of players, both favorably and unfavorably. Ball’s performance on the court will have an impact on these players as well as the Bulls if he is able to play the whole 2024–25 season.

1. Zach LaVine

Zach LaVine didn’t have a strong supporting cast before the 2021–2022 campaign, especially a guard who could finish the floor.

Ball’s arrival to the Bulls in the summer of 2021 would set off a scorching start for the team in 2021–22.

Prior to his injury, he averaged 24.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 33 games with Ball. At the time of Ball’s injury, the Bulls would be the best-seeded team in the East, and this would be LaVine’s final season receiving an All-Star selection.

After two and a half seasons, LaVine and the Bulls are in a completely different situation.

The Bulls have gone to the Play-In Tournament twice and lost both times, with LaVine taking the most of the blame for the team’s shortcomings. Early in the 2018 season, word leaked out that LaVine was willing to trade himself to the team if they could not find a suitable suitor.

In an attempt to retain their top-10 protected 2025 draft pick, which they owe the San Antonio Spurs, many predict the Bulls to finish near the bottom of the standings this season.

Many anticipate that the Bulls will attempt to revive LaVine’s trade stock concurrently in the hopes that a team would be open to accepting his large contract.

Ball’s return to the court will relieve some of LaVine’s strain and free him up to do what he does best. LaVine, one of the league’s best off-ball and catch-and-shoot shooters, might flourish once more like he did with Ball in the lineup.

This may either help the Bulls rebuild LaVine’s reputation or demonstrate to them that, with the appropriate point guard by his side, LaVine can still be an important player on the club.

2. Carter Jevon

Jevon Carter, one of many guards who joined the Bulls while Ball was out, has not fared well in his time there.

Carter was not the player he was just a season ago when he signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract in the 2023 offseason.

Carter played 72 games in the 2023–24 season (all off the bench), averaging slightly under 14 minutes per game with 5.0 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 rebounds.

His worst three-point shooting year came in 2023–2024. While Carter occasionally found it difficult to blend in with the squad, head coach Billy Donovan issued him multiple DNP-CDs.

Carter’s play has been consistent with previous season as we head into the preseason of 2024–25 and the second year of his contract.

Carter would start the Bulls’ next three preseason games, but he would not participate in their opening game against the Cavaliers. Game by game, his time on the court decreased.

Carter is anticipated to come off the bench because the Bulls starting lineup for the regular season is mostly established at this stage. But with Ball back and probably coming off the bench as well, Carter’s playing time may be further reduced.

Carter might not play much on the court since the squad is putting more of its attention on the younger players.

Ball will probably play the majority of the season as Ayo Dosunmu’s backup guard if he is able to stay on the court. The Bulls may decide to cut Carter by the deadline with Ball back on the active roster because he has a player option for the 2025–2026 campaign.

3. Giddey Josh

Josh Giddey is the one Bulls player who will be most affected by Ball’s comeback.

After being acquired in the 2024 summer trade for All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso, Giddey joined the Bulls primarily as a replacement for Lonzo Ball.

During the Bulls media day in early October, Ball answered questions on Giddey’s role on the club and whether or not he was considered a substitute for himself. The team’s newest guard:

They appear to be attempting to act in the team’s best interests. It goes without saying that when I was running point guard, pulling rebounds, and pushing it up, we were very successful, and Giddey is able to do the same. Thus, in my opinion, they are trying to win as many games as they can, and since they and we both believe he can succeed, that is why he is here.

Giddey has faced criticism from many quarters since his days with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has also had moments of difficulty during the preseason with the Bulls, especially when it comes to shooting.

Although he has struggled from three, he has been able to stuff the stat sheets.

Given his eligibility for a rookie extension, Giddey’s 2024–25 campaign will be crucial to his early career. The Bulls can sign him to an extension until the start of the 2024–25 season, or they can wait until the 2025 offseason to allow him to become a free agency.

Given that the Bulls acquired Giddey in exchange for an All-Defensive guard without obtaining any draft picks, many people anticipated that the team would extend Giddey’s deal before the season started. However, Ball’s comeback could affect Giddey’s play as well as the terms of the contract the Bulls offer him.

Nothing is certain, but there have been rumors that the Bulls might let Ball go after the season.

Ball might be a useful player for the Bulls in the future if he can stay healthy for the duration of the season. Despite their striking similarities, Ball has always been a superior shooter and defender than Giddey.

Ball has only played in two games as of this writing, but has already demonstrated to supporters that he is quite similar to the player he was before the injury.

Giddey believes that the worst thing that could happen to him during a contract season is a healthy and available Ball.