Bulls in mix for Pelicans guard Ball

The Bulls have tried to survive this season by spreading the point guard duties around as much as possible.

Coby White began the season carrying the responsibility to initiate the offense, but he struggled enough that the Bulls moved him off the ball more frequently before eventually moving him to a reserve role. Zach LaVine has taken a step forward as a playmaker, but he’s also turning the ball over more frequently than he has since his rookie year. Thad Young’s passing ability as a center has helped along with veteran guard Tomas Satoransky since the two moved into the starting lineup five games ago.

“The position has really been done by committee, to be quite honest,” coach Billy Donovan said after Sunday’s 100-86 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

That perhaps explains why the Bulls found themselves in the midst of more trade rumors about New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball. According to The Ringer, the Bulls are one of the teams attempting to pry Ball from the Pelicans.

The report also indicated skepticism around the league that the Pelicans would trade Ball, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, before Thursday’s deadline, but the Bulls and Atlanta Hawks have been in conversation with them.

Satoransky played well Sunday with eight points, nine assists and three steals, but White was a nonfactor off the bench. He played just 17 minutes with seven points and four assists and received barely more playing time than Ryan Arcidiacono, who had nine points and two assists in 15 minutes.

With the bounce-back win over the lowly Pistons, the Bulls were 19-22 and in 10th place in the Eastern Conference entering Monday night’s game against the Utah Jazz at the United Center, with 2 ½ games of cushion between them and the fading Toronto Raptors, who have lost eight straight. Looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Bulls appear to be operating as if they intend to be buyers at the deadline this week.

“(Vice president of basketball operations) Arturas (Karnisovas) is always going to look at how he can continue to help the group, how can he help them get better,” Donovan said. “I like our guys, they work hard, they’re unselfish, they’re coachable, they want to do the right things, they want to get better, but there’s no question there’s times where we’ve struggled back there at that position.

“That has happened, but I’ve always said this about Coby — he’s a fighter. He’s always trying to figure things out. Sato is a competitive guy, so is Arch, and I think those guys are investing a lot, so I’m happy with the job those guys are doing. Can we all be better? Absolutely, but I appreciate the way those guys are sacrificing, trying to make the team better.”