Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan's first-ever game-worn Chicago Bulls Jersey has sold for $4.21 million at auction via Sotheby's, with the lot closing just after 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Per Will Stern of Clict, it is among the top three Jordan jerseys to ever sell publicly. No. 1 is Jordan's jersey worn in Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, which sold for $10.1 million in 2022.

Sotheby's provided more details on the jersey.

"This jersey represents the only photomatched game worn jersey from Michael’s rookie season to ever surface at auction. It has been photomatched by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authenticated. The signature is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication.

"The jersey has been photo-matched by SIA to October 7, 1984 (Jordan's 2nd NBA game) and by MeiGray to October 13, 1984 (Jordan's 4th NBA game). MeiGray, working in close association with a forensic analysis firm called Proven Data, examined video footage from October 5, 1984 (Jordan's 1st NBA game) and have stated in their letter, "MeiGray believes that this is the first jersey Michael Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA."

Jordan's first-ever preseason game occurred on Oct. 5, 1984 against the Indiana Pacers in Peoria, Illinois. He scored 18 points in 29 minutes in a 102-98 victory.

Stern provided some history on the jersey's travels. The Bulls donated it to the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) for a charity auction in 1985, when it sold for $800. That was sold to an underbidder, as the original winner, who bid $1,000, never ended up paying for the jersey.

The collector held onto it until 2009, when it sold for $66,000 at auction.

Now that owner is striking it rich with this monster deal 16 years later.

Jordan had a tremendous rookie season en route to being considered one of the greatest athletes in world history, averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals. He won Rookie of the Year and finished sixth in the NBA MVP race as well.

Lonzo Ball has not played since Feb. 28 because of an injury to the same right wrist that also forced him to miss the first 15 games of the 2024-25 campaign, but Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan does not believe the guard will need season-ending surgery.

"I think the intention that he's doing right now is just trying to get himself back to playing," Donovan told reporters Saturday while revealing there are no plans to shut Ball down. "Doctors aren't saying, 'Hey listen, you gotta sit out.' It's just when he feels that he can do things on the court that he's comfortable with."

The coach also said there are no plans for the veteran to undergo surgery in the offseason either.

Injuries have been a constant reality for Ball since he joined the Bulls ahead of the 2021-22 season.

He suffered a knee injury during his first year with the team that was initially expected to sideline him for six-to-eight weeks. However, he ended up suffering multiple setbacks and requiring multiple surgeries, including a cartilage transplant in 2023.

Ball returned to the court for the first time since January 2022 this season and ended up signing a two-year, $20 million contract extension with Chicago.

Yet now he is dealing with a wrist injury ahead of the stretch run as the Bulls fight for a play-in spot. They are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings and four games ahead of the Toronto Raptors for that final spot. They are also just one game behind the Miami Heat for the No. 9 seed.

The UCLA product has been understandably rusty at times and is averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from deep.

There is no exact timetable for his return, but all indications are that Chicago expects him back at some time before the season ends.

The Chicago Bulls' six championship banners were removed from the United Center after being damaged at a concert on Saturday, according to ESPN's Jamal Collier.

Per Collier, the banners sustained damage during a pyrotechnics show as part of a concert by heavy metal band Disturbed. They were later pulled down from the rafters by staff.

The banners will stay down for the remainder of the Bulls' 2024-25 season.

The United Center released a statement on Friday to address the incident.

"United Center is currently working with the Bulls to explore options to repair these banners," the statement said, via Collier. "While the banners will not be in place for the remainder of this season, we do anticipate them being back in place next season."

Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune reported that the fabric of the championship banners showed "significant heat damage that warped their bottom halves."

Chicago's nearby banners commemorating division titles and conference championships were not affected by the pyrotechnics display and will remain up.

The Bulls won their titles during arguably the greatest dynasty in NBA history. Led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, they earned all six of their championships in eight seasons from 1990-98. Chicago owned a 591-201 record over that span, including the playoffs.

As for the 2024-25 Bulls, they're currently in the midst of a four-game win streak and sit at No. 10 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 28-38 record.

While Lonzo Ball was included in some trade speculation ahead of this year's trade deadline, he is happy to be with the Chicago Bulls and ultimately agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension.

On Wednesday, he opened up about his decision to sign the extension that will keep him with the Bulls through the 2026-27 season, assuming the club exercises its option in that second year.

"It feels like family here," Ball explained, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

The guard also highlighted how important team physician Brian Cole has been in his recovery process and the loyalty the Bulls showed during his multi-year absence because of knee injuries as driving factors in the decision.

Ball returned to the court this season for the first time since January 2022.

While the initial injury was expected to sideline him for six-to-eight weeks, he suffered multiple setbacks and underwent multiple knee surgeries. One of those surgeries was a cartilage transplant in 2023.

The UCLA product has been understandably limited at times this season and is averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 21.6 minutes in 30 games. The hope is surely that he returns to his pre-injury form when his ability to shoot from the outside and facilitate was one reason the Bulls were among the top teams in the Eastern Conference in 2021-22 before his injury.

Ball is still just 27 years old, and this extension will give him more time to fully adjust to his return to the court in a familiar setting that feels like "family" to him.

He could also help lead Chicago into the playoffs down the stretch, as the Bulls are 1.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

The Chicago Bulls might be doing it again.

And by doing it, we mean doing nothing—or at least nothing else ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline beyond the already completed Zach LaVine trade.

After years of treading water, the Bulls finally seemed to have a future focus. Last summer, they traded away Alex Caruso and let DeMar DeRozan walk in free agency. Throw in the LaVine trade, and it seemed as if Chicago's front office, which has been prone to problematic inactivity in recent years, was finally ready to usher in an overdue youth movement.

So much for that, apparently. Veteran center Nikola Vučević, who seems like one of the league's most logical trade candidates, might wind up staying put, per Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson:

Lonzo Ball, who's a less awkward fit for the timeline but still far more valuable on a win-now team than a Chicago club hovering on the fringes of the play-in tournament, might wind up sticking around, too, per Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line:

Granted, nothing is cemented here, and these things are always subject to change. However, given the history of these decision-makers, it seems there's a distinct possibility this is really it.

Maybe the Bulls still deserve some golf-clap recognition for finding a taker for LaVine, but even then, no more than muted praise feels necessary. His contract cost and injury history worked against him, but the return still reads as uninspiring.

LaVine, a two-time All-Star, exited Chicago with per-game averages of 24 points, 4.5 assists and 3.2 three-pointers. He was shooting a blistering 51.1 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from the perimeter. Those are objectively good numbers no matter how their sliced.

Know what the Bulls turned those numbers into? Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins and a 2025 first-round pick. Tempted to talk yourself into that being a decent-ish return? Don't be. The pick was their own (though held by the San Antonio Spurs) and may not have escaped the Windy City since it had top-10 protection on it.

For those unfamiliar with the rest of the return, Jones is a pass-first (i.e., non-shooting) point guard and adequate reserve. Huerter is a shooting specialist whose shooting rates (and floor time) have plummeted over the past two seasons. Collins is a one-time lottery pick (No. 10 in 2017) who was no longer guaranteed to see regular rotation minutes.

That's not exactly a haul, folks, and it will only look worse if it constitutes Chicago's total takeaway from this iteration of trade season.

There is no rational argument for holding onto Vučević. Setting aside the amount of years likely sitting between this team and competing for anything of significance, there's also the fact his market value might be as high as it's been in recent memory. His shooting efficiency wasn't where it needed to be to offset his defensive deficiencies in recent seasons, but he's suddenly converting a career-high 55.1 percent of his field goals while posting a personal-best 40.1 three-point percentage (on 4.6 attempts per outing).

Whatever teams are willing to give for him now has to be better than the Bulls have heard the past few seasons. Chicago needs to capitalize on his trade value now, especially when doing so should include the added bonus of worsening this roster and presumably increasing the lottery odds ahead of the loaded 2025 draft.

There are more defensible arguments to make for keeping Ball, who's younger and a better two-way contributor. But again, the Bulls aren't competitive enough to take full advantage of what he has to offer. Plus, penciling him into the future plans—he needs a new contract this summer—feels somewhere between incredibly optimistic and outright reckless given his myriad medical woes in recent years.

Fingers-crossed for the Chicago faithful that this is all part of a leverage play intended to squeeze out every last dollar ahead of the deadline. Given the history of this front office, though, it's impossible to extend the courtesy of assuming that's what's happening.

The Bulls could be in real danger of letting another asset-collecting possibility pass them by. At least the fanbase knows how to process this by now.

Nikola Vučević has been seen as a potential trade candidate leading up to Thursday's deadline, but the Chicago Bulls big man is reportedly expecting to stay put.

K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reported Tuesday that Vučević is "prepared" to remain in Chicago, especially since the Golden State Warriors "have shifted attention to bigger targets, including Kevin Durant."

From the Bulls' perspective, it makes little sense to hold onto the big man unless there is absolutely nothing of value available.

After all, they already traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings in the deal that brought De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. They also didn't bring back DeMar DeRozan this past offseason and aren't a realistic contender in the Eastern Conference at 22-29 even after Tuesday's win over the Miami Heat.

The 34-year-old Vučević is signed through just next season, and it is difficult to envision the Bulls being a force in the East while he is still under contract.

Instead, they can shift their focus toward a rebuild that seemed to pick up steam with the LaVine trade and attempt to add draft capital and young players.

But that only works if there is a willing trade partner, and the Warriors looking elsewhere could limit the potential suitors. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also listed the Los Angeles Lakers as an interested party but noted Chicago "may have to settle for multiple second-round picks if they move him."

Given that reality, it begins to make more sense why Vučević is preparing to stay put.

After all, the Bulls could always look to trade him during the offseason or the 2025-26 campaign if the alternative is settling for second-round picks. It will likely still be in rebuilding mode at that time, so the outlook would be quite similar.

And if Vučević continues to play well as a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor, there will likely still be some value to be had in a trade at that point.

The Chicago Bulls may not be done dealing ahead of Thursday's deadline, but that doesn't mean they will land a first-round pick.

Even if they trade two-time All-Star Nikola Vučević.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Tuesday that "there's a growing sense the Bulls" want to trade the big man after they already shipped Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings in the three-team deal that saw De'Aaron Fox end up on the San Antonio Spurs.

Scotto listed the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers as interested suitors, although he also noted "the Bulls have held out hope for a first-round pick for Vučević but may have to settle for multiple second-round picks."

Chicago failing to get an additional first-round pick in a trade would be nothing new for its front office:

It's not surprising to see Vučević drawing interest from the Warriors and Lakers. He is a walking double-double who is averaging 19.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season while shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from deep.

While he is questionable on the defensive side, his ability to shoot from beyond the three-point line causes matchup problems.

Los Angeles needs more depth in the frontcourt after giving up Anthony Davis in the trade that landed it Luka Dončić, while Golden State is looking for another impact player to pair with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as it attempts to make a playoff push with those two veterans still making up the core.

Vučević would help either team that acquired him, and it reportedly won't even cost a first-round pick.

The Chicago Bulls "have not been eager" to trade Lonzo Ball despite outside interest, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein also reported the team is open to re-signing Ball, who's in the last year of his $80 million contract.

The Bulls will still have options ahead of the deadline, with the Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves among teams interested in Ball, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Teams will also monitor the buyout market in case Ball becomes available.

The 27-year-old's comeback has been staggering. There was a point when it looked like his career might be in jeopardy as he battled persistent knee injuries that caused him to miss two full seasons.

Ball is not only playing again but also performing at a level pretty close to where he was before the injuries, albeit in a lesser role. The 6'6" guard is averaging 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals.

As a result of his resurgence, the Bulls have a possible trade asset if they want to use it. A lot of playoff contenders could benefit from Ball's two-way skill set, and his $21.4 million salary isn't much of a hindrance to any deal.

In the wake of the Zach LaVine trade, it's a little surprising that Chicago would want to keep Ball though the deadline and potentially extend his stay in the Windy City.

The Bulls aren't going anywhere in the short term. They're 21-29 and just lost their best player. In addition, they're incentivized to bottom out because of the protections on their 2025 first-round pick, which can end up in the San Antonio Spurs' hands.

Chicago's front office might as well take what it can get for Ball now.

Re-signing him would be equally puzzling because he no longer fits with the franchise's current timeline. And if the idea is tying him down for multiple years so that his trade value increases, then there's the risk that he suffers another knee injury down the road.

The Bulls waited too long to move on from both LaVine and DeMar DeRozan and got lackluster returns as a result. While the opportunity cost with Ball isn't as high as it was with those two, general manager Marc Eversley and executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas might be repeating the same mistake.