The NBA announced its full regular-season schedule recently, revealing that Lonzo Ball will face his former team, the Chicago Bulls, for the first time on November 8 in Cleveland. This matchup comes after Ball was traded by the Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a player swap, which involved sending Isaac Okoro to Chicago. The Lonzo Ball trade Bulls Cavaliers deal is already drawing interest, especially since both teams are part of the same division, ensuring at least four encounters during the season.
Ball’s first game back in Chicago is scheduled shortly after the NBA Cup championship on December 17. Then, the two teams will meet again in Cleveland just two days later on December 19. Their final regular-season game in Chicago will take place much later on March 19, allowing both sides time to settle into their season objectives — with Cleveland aiming for the top seed and Chicago targeting a spot in the Play-In tournament.
Chicago Bulls’ Season Schedule Highlights and Challenges
The Bulls face a demanding schedule this season that includes 13 sets of back-to-back games. Three of these back-to-backs happen consecutively in January, while another three occur within a two-week span around Thanksgiving. Another noteworthy aspect is the limited national TV exposure for Chicago, with only three nationally televised games—all of which are road matchups. These games include a December 1st contest against the Orlando Magic on Peacock, a January 16th game versus the Brooklyn Nets on ESPN, and a February 5th matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Amazon Prime.
Chicago’s absence from key holiday games such as Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day further indicates the NBA’s current skepticism regarding the Bulls’ playoff potential this season. However, this stance might shift if the Bulls exceed expectations and become serious playoff contenders as the season progresses.
Despite these challenges, the Bulls benefit from two extended homestands, which could prove advantageous. The first stretches from December 26 to January 3, featuring six home games in nine days. The second begins after the All-Star break, with a demanding seven-game homestand from February 19 through March 6, concluding against the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Context of Recent Bulls Trades and Comparisons
The trade involving Lonzo Ball mirrors a previous maneuver by the Bulls last season when they traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. That transaction paid off for the Thunder, who went on to win the NBA championship. Now, with Isaac Okoro joining Chicago, the Bulls appear to be taking a similar calculated risk, hoping it leads to positive results.
Season Outlook and What to Expect Next
The Lonzo Ball trade Bulls Cavaliers exchange sets up an intriguing dynamic for their four divisional meetings, with both teams having distinct goals for the season. Cleveland looks positioned to vie for the highest seed, while Chicago aims to secure at least a Play-In berth to keep their playoff hopes alive. How each team performs in key stretches, including those extensive homestands and back-to-back weeks, will be critical in shaping their success. The evolving rookie Josh Giddey’s contract negotiations also remain an offseason storyline to watch, as they could further influence both teams’ futures.