Lonzo Ball Says Bulls Fans Can Expect Him Back On The Court Next Season

Lonzo Ball told TMZ Sports that Chicago Bulls fans can expect him back on the court next season. Ball hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022.

According to NBA reporter Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, Ball is playing five-on-five with no setbacks. 

“The Bulls confirmed Ball has started playing in full-contact 5-on-5 scrimmages — as he was scheduled to do once August arrived — and, according to one source, has done so with no setbacks,” Cowley reported. 

Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Lonzo averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks for Chicago in 2021-22 in 35 games while shooting 42.3% from the field, 42.3% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.

Ball has career averages of 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers, Pelicans and Bulls. He was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Lakers. 

The Bulls missed the playoffs in 2023 and 2024 without Ball, who underwent a cartilage transplant in his left knee. The UCLA product received a meniscus transplant from a donor.

“There was no more meniscus left and bone on bone was rubbing,” Ball said on his podcast in May. “The cartilage was gone and the bone was messed up, so I had to get a new meniscus from a donor. I had to get a bone allograft and I had to get some new cartilage put in as well.”

Ball will make $21.4 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

The Bulls are rebuilding after trading Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey and letting Andre Drummond leave for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.

Future Hall of Famer DeMar DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal.