Chicago Bulls

For the first time since November 29, 2021, brothers LaMelo and Lonzo Ball faced off against each other in an NBA game.

LAMELO x LONZO 🤝

All love between the Ball Brothers 🤍 pic.twitter.com/V0i4L4bc0D

— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2025

In a tightly contested and high-scoring affair, LaMelo's Charlotte Hornets were victorious over Lonzo's Chicago Bulls 125-123 on Friday.

Family reunion ❤️ pic.twitter.com/F8HsET0YVR

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 18, 2025

Round 1 goes to Lonzo 🔒 pic.twitter.com/etqs4ZajLy

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) January 18, 2025

BIG BRO 3-BALL OVER LIL BRO 🤩

Lonzo and LaMelo face off for the first time since 2021! pic.twitter.com/j3v5l2Qb5G

— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2025

LaMelo Ball finished with a team-high 26 points and nine rebounds. Teammate Mark Williams added a 19-point, 19-rebound double-double.

Lonzo Ball had six points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals. Nikola Vučević's 40 points and 13 rebounds led Chicago.

Lonzo Ball has engineered an inspiring comeback to the court after missing nearly three years with left knee ailments that led to three surgeries.

He has played 22 games (one start), posting 6.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 20.2 minutes.

Ball had to endure more adversity this season in the form of a sprained right wrist that kept him out for nearly a month, but he's back, healthy and contributing to the team after an arduous road.

Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball is enjoying the best season of his career, one that should land him in the All-Star Game and perhaps lead to his first-ever All-NBA team nod as well. Ball is averaging 29.5 points, 7.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.

The middle Ball brother, LiAngelo, is fresh off releasing a viral hit, "Tweaker," that's led to him signing a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group for $8 million guaranteed and as much as $13 million. He was in Chicago's United Center on Friday.

LiAngelo Ball in the building for Lonzo vs. LaMelo 🤝

Hit the music 😂 pic.twitter.com/MjqZttdvtI

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 18, 2025

The Hornets and Bulls played each other twice earlier this season. Unfortunately, LaMelo Ball missed both contests due to a left calf strain (Dec. 13) and wrist soreness (Dec. 30).

The brothers faced off against each other Friday, though, and fans loved seeing the two face off.

If u not watching Bulls vs Hornets, you don’t really like basketball, LaMelo n Lonzo going at it 4 bragging rights rn

— John Gatta (@JohnGatta) January 18, 2025

This Lonzo Lamelo matchup is so fun to watch 🍿

— fritz (@fritzg88) January 18, 2025

Lonzo matched up vs. LaMelo right now 🔥

— Hug Dealer (@LMCxJR) January 18, 2025

LaMelo vs Lonzo 👁️

— The Chief ⚓️ (@C2thaL2thaIGG) January 18, 2025

Healthy LaMelo vs Healthy Lonzo is box office basketball man

— júgador Ash (@jugadorAsh) January 18, 2025

Lonzo vs. LaMelo with Gelo song playing in the background.

Lavar did alright 🫡 https://t.co/UOuzIpnUSi

— In My Drop Top (@itsrodkneedawg) January 18, 2025

Lonzo vs LaMelo with Gelo sitting courtside 🔥

— Rush (@DarkKnight_3) January 18, 2025

The Bulls and Hornets play each other once more this regular season when Charlotte hosts Chicago on Sunday, April 6.

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine knows that part of being included in trade rumors means there are other teams interested in your production.

"People are supposed to talk about you, have opinions about you," LaVine said after Friday's win over the Washington Wizards, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. "If you're not at that level, they wouldn't talk about you at all. I've done a better job this year of just canceling out a lot of the noise."

LaVine has been no stranger to trade rumors this season, which isn't exactly surprising.

After all, he is under contract through next season with a player option for the 2026-27 campaign. The Bulls likely aren't going to be a legitimate contender in that window given their roster makeup and sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings with an 18-20 record.

They could be well on their way to a third consecutive play-in tournament appearance if they don't make any changes, which isn't exactly inspiring for a major-market franchise with a rich history.

Trading LaVine for younger players or even draft assets could facilitate something of a rebuild and roster reset, especially for a team that doesn't look the part of a threat in the Eastern Conference this season.

For his part, the veteran is averaging 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from deep.

Both shooting percentages would be career-high marks and surely catch the eye of contending teams looking for more offensive production. While his contract that is set to pay him $46 million in base salary next season alone is a hefty one, shooting like that alongside another star in key playoff moments could make a trade worthwhile for a team with realistic championship aspirations.

The rumors are likely only going to get louder as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches, but LaVine is looking at them from a positive perspective as he continues to play at a high level.

Former Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah discussed some of the issues he had with LeBron James during his playing days in an interview this week.

During an appearance on the Out The Mud Podcast (h/t Peter Sunjic of Basketball Network), Noah suggested that he took umbrage with some of LeBron's on-court antics, saying:

"My issue was, I felt like LeBron was—he was obviously the best player in the NBA—but he was arrogant, and he is a stunner.

"There was moments where you were down 20 points, you shooting a free throw with your left hand, you dancing all over the court, I wasn't feeling it. So I let it be known that I wasn't feeling none of this s--t, I had enough, I was a passionate player. And s--t, you lose to somebody five times in the playoffs—there is nothing funny about that."

Noah and the Bulls actually went 0-4 against James-led teams in playoff series, as LeBron's Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Bulls in 2010 and 2015, and his Miami Heat took down Chicago in 2011 and 2013.

The 39-year-old Noah had a successful NBA career, spending 13 seasons in the league with the Bulls, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.

His best years were in Chicago, as he was a two-time All-Star, three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection and one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year during his nine-year stint with the Bulls.

Noah's tenure in Chicago saw the Bulls make seven consecutive playoff appearances, although they lost in the first round four times and only made it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals once.

Those teams featured stars such as Noah, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and a host of others, but playoff success always seemed to elude them.

The Bulls even went 62-20 in 2010-11 with NBA MVP Derrick Rose leading the way, but LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat took them down in the Eastern Conference Finals.

From 2011 through 2018, James reached the NBA Finals eight times in a row with the Heat and Cavs, and the Bulls were often a casualty of those playoff runs.

Noah's Bulls won just five of the 21 postseason games they played against James' Heat and Cavaliers, so it is understandable why the gritty big man may have gotten fed up with LeBron.

Despite his problems with LeBron on the court, Noah was also complimentary of his long-time adversary, saying: "To be dominant at 40 years old is pretty crazy. I mean, I can barely walk to the bathroom, and this guy is still dominating."

James has long established himself as one of the all-time greats, as he is the NBA's career scoring leader and has four NBA titles, four NBA Finals MVP Awards and four NBA MVP Awards to his credit.

Despite having just turned 40 years old last month, James is still playing at a high level as well with averages of 23.8 points, 8.8 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game with the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

Further speaking to James' success and longevity is the fact that Noah entered the NBA four years before he did, and has now been retired since 2020.

The Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets previously discussed swapping Zach LaVine and Michael Porter Jr., but those talks are "dormant" for now, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

"The Nuggets had some talks about moving Porter for the Bulls' Zach LaVine earlier this season," Windhorst wrote.

"And while those talks are dormant for now, the team's willingness to involve Porter indicates the 2023 champions are mulling a shake-up to a core that has underachieved this season."

Denver, which won the NBA title two years ago, is a respectable 20-14, good enough for fourth in the Western Conference. Expectations are certainly higher in Denver, though, especially given that the team still has the same top four from the championship core two years ago in three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, Porter, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are fighting for the playoffs once again, sitting at 17-19 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. They have won four of their last five, though, and will soon embark on a five-game home stand in which no opponent has a winning record. So things are looking up in Chicago, and LaVine in particular has been on fire with 33.3 PPG.

LaVine has seemingly been in trade rumors for years now, but he's remained in Chicago. He is due $45,999,660 for 2025-26 and has a $48,967,380 player option in 2026-27 that he can decline to become a free agent.

The Porter piece of the equation is interesting, simply because he's having the best season of his career, averaging 19.1 points on 52.4 percent shooting (42.3 percent from three). Like LaVine, Porter has been hot of late, posting 23.6 PPG for a Nuggets team that's won four of five.

Ultimately, it might be best for both teams to hang onto these players as they excel, especially given their recent winning stretches. Things can change in a month's time before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but for now, it seems all status quo on the Bulls-Nuggets trade front.

The Ball Brothers stick together.

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball made sure his brother LiAngelo's new song was playing in his team's locker room following Saturday's 139-126 victory over the New York Knicks. As if the locker-room celebration wasn't enough support, he also took to social media to hype the track.

He wasn't the only one, as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball did the same:

This ain’t out yet lol 👀 Friday he feeding the culture!! 🔥🔥 #CanYouPleaseeeeee https://t.co/LHQwR7ePCp

— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) January 5, 2025

he got bangers real life 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀i’m cryinnn gang https://t.co/wBuLj4UFZw

— Melo (@MELOD1P) January 5, 2025

Lonzo and LaMelo may be biased when it comes to their brother's music, but they aren't the only ones in the NBA listening to it.

ESPN's Kalan Hooks noted the Cleveland Cavaliers played it during Donovan Mitchell's postgame interview after Friday's win over the Dallas Mavericks.

"The fact that you know the words ... the song just came out," Mitchell told a teammate. "Shoutout to LiAngelo Ball, I guess."

The song is titled, "Tweaker" and, according to Hooks, generated more than 816,000 views on YouTube in its first 24 hours after it was released. It is also available on Apple Music and Spotify.

It has been a solid start to 2025 for the entire Ball family, as LiAngelo has his music and Lonzo is back on the court for the Bulls this season for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. He came off the bench in the latest win over the Knicks and tallied eight points, six assists, two rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes.

It was his third straight game with more than 20 minutes played, indicating he is working his way back into the regular rotation as the Bulls fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

As for LaMelo Ball, he hasn't played since Dec. 26 because of ankle and wrist injuries, although he led all Eastern Conference guards in the NBA's first fan voting returns for the 2025 All-Star Game.

There is plenty of reason for the Ball family to celebrate, and now they have the perfect song to listen to while doing so.

On the same day Derrick Rose will be honored by the Chicago Bulls for his achievements throughout his NBA career, the club announced plans to retire his jersey.

The Bulls announced Rose's No. 1 will be raised to the rafters at the United Center at some point during the 2025-26 season.

OFFICIAL: The Bulls will retire Derrick Rose's number during the 2025-26 NBA season. No other player will ever wear the number 1 for the Chicago Bulls.

Number 1 will always be from Chicago. pic.twitter.com/s7z3J030WA

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 4, 2025

The moment Pooh learned his number is officially going in the rafters 🥹 pic.twitter.com/D8JZjXhdtG

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 4, 2025

The Bulls quickly put together a celebration for Rose on Saturday, announcing "Derrick Rose Night" on Dec. 30.

Per the team's website, the event will "serve as a celebration of Derrick's retirement from the NBA, his memorable career and his contributions to the Bulls and the city of Chicago."

Speaking to ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday, Rose said he "would love" to have his jersey retired in part because it would help cement his legacy as an all-time great player.

"That would be my way of getting close to the Top 75, and I'm only saying that because it relates to the MVP," Rose said. "It's only a handful, a small group that got that trophy back there. And to think that way of playing, the Chicago way of playing, is not in that 75, it makes you think about it a little bit or question it a little bit."

Rose announced his retirement from the NBA after 16 seasons in September. The Chicago native spent his first eight years with the Bulls after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft.

The addition of Rose was a transformative moment for a franchise that had started to find a new identity after a lull in the years after Michael Jordan's second retirement. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in his first season and was named an All-Star in his second season.

Rose became the youngest NBA MVP when he won the award as a 22-year-old during the 2010-11 season. He led the Bulls to the league's best record (62-20) and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.

A torn ACL suffered in the first round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers the following season altered the trajectory of Rose's career, but he did eventually carve out a niche as a role player.

Rose will be the fifth Bulls player to have his jersey retired by the club. He joins a group that includes Jordan (No. 23), Scottie Pippen (No. 33), Jerry Sloan (No. 4) and Bob Love (No. 10).

Derrick Rose "would love" to see his No. 1 jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls, but not to see his statue outside United Center.

"I would love that. That's more me if they would do it," Rose said when asked about jersey retirement by ESPN's Shams Charania.

"I would love that."

Derrick Rose says he wants his jersey retired by the Bulls ❤️

(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/Kr9kTTHZFm

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 3, 2025

Rose then added in a plea to Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and CEO Michael Reinsdorf, according to Charania.

"The way people have been creating these statues, I don't want a statue," he said. "No statue. Jerry, no statue. Please, Michael, no statue."

Rose played seven seasons for the Bulls between 2008 and 2016. His 2024 retirement from the NBA is being celebrated by the Bulls ahead of Saturday night's game against the New York Knicks.

The Bulls and Knicks are honoring Rose's No. 1 on Saturday, albeit in a less official capacity, with shooting shirts worn by players on both teams.

The shirts will display the numbers "1.4.25," marking both the date and Rose's numbers with the Bulls, New York Knicks and as a high school player, according to the team.

The Bulls have retired just four players' numbers since the franchise's 1966 founding, most recently granting Scottie Pippen the honor in 2005.

Rose's number is already unofficially on that list, given that multiple Bulls players have received fan backlash for attempting to wear No. 1 since he left the franchise.

Michael Carter-Williams and Anthony Borrow both originally planned to wear No. 1 following trades to the Bulls during the 2016-17 season, and both ultimately cited fan controversy in their decisions to switch to other numbers.

Rose lived up to the hype surrounding his place atop the 2008 draft by winning the NBA's Rookie of the Year award in 2009.

He then became the youngest MVP in NBA history when he capped off his 2010-11 season by earning the honor at 22 years old.

After injuries including a 2012 ACL tear impacted his career, Rose was traded by the Bulls and went on to play for the Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies before announcing his retirement in September.

The Bulls are the most likely of all those teams to honor Rose's career following his retirement after 16 NBA seasons.

Perhaps because of the controversy surrounding the appearance of the Dwyane Wade sculpture recently installed outside the Miami Heat's Kaseya Center, Rose is hoping those honors don't include a statue.

There is "growing pessimism" that Chicago Bulls would be willing to trade star shooting guard Zach LaVine to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a a package built around Michael Porter Jr., according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

Per Scotto, Chicago "doesn't want to absorb" the four-year, $32 million contract of Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji as part of the potential deal and the Bulls also aren't interested in using additional assets to flip Nnaji to a third team.

Tony Jones and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on Dec. 17 that Denver put "significant" focus on landing LaVine.

The Nuggets are currently above the first apron and can't take back more salary than they send out in a trade, meaning that they'd need to add to Porter's $35.8 million salary in order to match LaVine's 2024-25 salary of $43 million. Nnaji fits the bill, but Chicago doesn't appear interested in the remaining three years of his contract.

Scotto noted on Tuesday that there are also "internal questions" surrounding LaVine's fit next to Jamal Murray in Denver's backcourt.

The Nuggets have opened the year with a modest 18-13 record, a relatively slow start after coming off 57 wins last season. They could approach the trade deadline in search of an offensive option to take pressure off Murray and superstar Nikola Jokić, making it easy to see why they'd be interested in LaVine.

In 28 starts with the Bulls this season, he's averaging 22.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 49.9/44.7/81.4 shooting splits.

ZACH LAVINE COULDN’T BE STOPPED AND DROPPED 18 (6 THREES) IN THE 4TH 😤 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5lZStJqmLm

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 19, 2024

LaVine's defense next to Murray could be a concern, as Denver already ranks No. 19 in defensive rating to open its 2024-25 campaign (via NBA.com).

The Nuggets and Bulls will have more time to work out a deal prior to the Feb. 6 deadline, but there seems to be a growing belief that an agreement involving LaVine and Porter may not be reached.

The Chicago Bulls reportedly want nothing to do with Zeke Nnaji in trade talks with the Denver Nuggets.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that the Nuggets are interested in Zach LaVine and may want to land the guard and Torry Craig in a deal for Michael Porter Jr. and Nnaji. However, Stein reported the Bulls "balked at Nnaji's inclusion in such a trade. This is Year 1 of a four-year, $32 million contract for Nnaji that, while descending in value annually, runs through 2027-28."

This comes after Tony Jones and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Tuesday the Nuggets want offensive help and were looking at a number of potential trade targets, including LaVine.

The idea is that Denver needs someone outside of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray who can make plays with the ball in his hands for the stretch run and Western Conference playoffs. LaVine certainly fits that criteria, and he is also someone who can take advantage of the openings created by Jokić with his outside shooting ability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vMhQBVMV_k

Jokić has more on his shoulders than usual this season, as he is averaging a career-high 37.2 minutes per game and shooting a career-high 21 field-goal attempts a night. Denver needs him fresher for the postseason, and adding another offensive difference-maker could help.

But the Bulls have to agree to the deal as well.

And moving LaVine would surely imply they have an eye on the future and building around young assets and perhaps draft picks. While Nnaji is young at 23 years old, taking on his deal would mean a number of years and dollars are tied up into someone who is barely a role player.

Nnaji is averaging 1.3 points and 0.4 rebounds in 4.9 minutes per game this season.

Perhaps a change of scenery will help him unlock something, but that would be an expensive risk for a team like the Bulls that would want to have more money and cap room available to pursue a foundational corner piece down the line.

It's not particularly surprising Chicago wouldn't be interested in taking that on, especially if it can create a bidding war and better return package with other teams potentially interested in LaVine ahead of the February trade deadline.

Zach LaVine's season-high 36 points against Boston Celtics on Thursday could help raise his trade value for the Chicago Bulls.

According to ClutchPoints' Brett Seigel, "in recent weeks, the mood surrounding LaVine has changed across the league."

LaVine is averaging 22.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls so far this season.

He has been shooting 50.5 percent from the field and a career best 43.5 percent from deep to lead the Bulls in scoring through 24 starts.

"Regardless of his contract, these numbers could instantly help many playoff-contending teams around the league," Siegel wrote. "Talk of teams paying attention to LaVine's situation in Chicago is growing."

LaVine has been particularly strong over the last two weeks of play, with three 30-point outings in a four-game stretch capped off by the win over the Celtics.

Zach LaVine with an All-Star performance!

36 pts | 11-19 FG | 6-11 from three | 4 ast pic.twitter.com/KpdlKdg5bZ

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 20, 2024

LaVine is making $43 million this season, and should he take his player option for the 2026-27 campaign he would be owed almost $95 million over the next two.

His recent production could help the Bulls find another team willing to take on that costly deal.

One potential trade partner could be the Denver Nuggets, who so far this season have struggled to find scoring outside of Nikola Jokić. The Athletic's Tony Jones and Sam Amick recently reported that LaVine is one of the players the Nuggets have shown interest in amid their search for offensive help.

According to Jones and Amick, the Nuggets' "focus on LaVine in recent discussions is significant."

Any Nuggets trade would likely involve Michael Porter Jr., Jones and Amick added. Porter is also signed for two more seasons, but he is younger and costs slightly less than LaVine, which could make him an attractive target for the Bulls.

Adding LaVine would allow the Nuggets to add a second scorer behind Jokić, while giving the Bulls the chance to move a player who has reportedly been on the trade block for the last year and a half.