Lonzo Ball had a series of knee injuries and surgeries in the winter of 2022 which led to him missing two-and-a-half years due to a variety of issues with his knees. Ahead of his return next season, Bulls center Nikola Vucevic had kind words about his teammate in a conversation with NBA insider Marc Stein.
“I’ve heard that he’s been looking good … that he’s been doing everything that he can to get back. I’m excited to see him back in the game when we get back in Chicago, see how everything looks. I really hope for him that he’s able to play and be back.
“I can’t imagine, at that age (26) especially, having to miss two and a half years. It was very difficult for him to deal with different treatments, surgeries, and all that. It’s a long road to come back and so, hopefully, I really hope for him that it pays off and he’s able to play again. He’ll mean so much to our team because of his talent and everything.”
Ball’s contributions to the Bulls’ success at the start of the 2021-22 season were crucial, as Chicago was the one-seed in the East. They fell apart after Ball’s injury, falling from No. 1 in the East to No. 6, with even Vucevic stressing on Ball’s defensive importance and playmaking as skills that made them better.
“When he was playing, we were playing much better. He was a big part because of his playmaking, his defense, his shotmaking ability as well. He was a huge part of what we were doing. He was a big guard and that was big for us, so losing him was kind of tricky. It wasn’t an injury where we knew how long he would be out. We were always kind of waiting. And then we knew all of last year that he would be out.”
Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists that season. He will likely not average those numbers instantly upon returning from injury, but a tank year could be a great opportunity for Ball to showcase his strength on the courts. In addition, the Bulls have a crowded guard rotation with Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, along with the latest addition, Josh Giddey.
Lonzo Ball Might Not See Out The Season With The Bulls
Lonzo will come into the 2024-25 season with the hopes of re-establishing his worth as a top player in the NBA as he’s in a contract year. Unfortunately, the Bulls have guards who have moved ahead of Ball on the priority list since his injury. The acquisition of Giddey has made many believe that Ball is dispensable.
“Giddey’s acquisition also further clouds the Bulls’ plans for Ball, who hasn’t played since January 2022 but is expected to make a comeback next season. It’s impossible to not view Giddey as insurance in case Ball doesn’t return. By bringing in Giddey, the Bulls also might have signaled they’re ready to move on from Ball. A trade or buyout could be likely.”
Nobody will trade for Ball until there’s a sample size of how he looks in the league after his injury issues. But if he impresses, the Bulls could easily make something happen with another team to give him the opportunity he deserves.
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