NBA News Roundup, Sunday, April 14th: Lonzo Ball's Chicago Trade, Luke Walton to Sacramento, and more

After the completion of the regular season earlier this week, the playoffs got off to an exciting start last night. The Nets were among the teams able to pull off first-game upsets, and there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around the NBA. So, here are all the news and rumors you need to know for April 14th.

Chicago Bulls held trade discussions for Lonzo Ball

The Chicago Bulls held talks for Lonzo Ball

Upon being drafted second overall in the 2017 draft, Magic Johnson labeled Lonzo Ball as the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Ball's role on the team has been called into question ever since LeBron James arrived last summer, and the 21-year-old was among the players included in trade talks for Anthony Davis.

Joe Cowley of the Los Angeles Times is also reporting that the Lakers entered into talks with the Chicago Bulls over Ball's potential availability, and Cowley believes that the team could return for the point guard this summer:

According to one NBA executive, the Bulls and Lakers had initial conversations about point guard Lonzo Ball shortly after Ball’s camp made it public that Chicago would be one of his desired destinations if the Lakers were to move him.

Could the No. 4 pick and a package with Dunn be enough to pry Ball loose? He’d be the perfect fit for what the Bulls are looking for, with an ability to push the ball and make plays, in addition to solid defense; he finished this season seventh among NBA point guards in defensive RPM.

Ball showed improvement in his second season in the NBA, although he once again struggled with injuries. He finished the season averaging 9.9 points, 5.4 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Luke Walton heading to Sacramento

Luke Walton left the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this week

Despite a promising 2018/19 season, the Sacramento Kings fired Dave Joerger earlier this week. The Kings finished with a 39-43 record -- marking their highest number of wins for more than a decade.

Nevertheless, it appears that Sacramento has already identified Joerger's replacement as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Luke Walton could soon be appointed as the team's new head coach:

Luke Walton and the Sacramento Kings are progressing rapidly on a deal to make him the franchise’s new coach, league sources tell ESPN. A formal announcement is expected as soon as this weekend.

Walton spent three seasons with the Lakers before mutually parting ways on Friday. He was credited for helping to develop the team's young core, however, the Lakers opted to go in a different direction after missing out on the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

Lakers granted permission to speak to Monty Williams

Monty Williams is currently an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers

With Luke Walton set to secure a new team, the Lakers look as though they have also ramped up their efforts to find his successor. ESPN is reporting that the Lakers have been granted permission to speak to Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams.

Williams and former Cleveland Caviliers coach Tyronn Lue are the focus of the Lakers' search, and general manager Rob Pelinka is planning to speak individually with each soon, league sources said. The expectation is that Pelinka likely will speak to Williams on the phone or travel east to meet with him.

Williams previously spent time as associate head coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder, although he left his position due to the death of his wife. However, Williams returned to coaching last summer, forming a key part of Brett Brown's support team in Philadelphia.