Bulls’ Lonzo Ball Says He’s ‘About 70 Percent, Healthy Enough To Play’

It’s been a long time since Lonzo Ball stepped on an NBA court, too long if you ask Ball and the Chicago Bulls. But perhaps that is about to be fixed.

“It’s coming along, man. Week by week,” Ball said on the What an Experience podcast, via Ryan Taylor of NBC Sports Chicago. “It’s improving, so that’s all I can ask for. Still not where I want it to be. Out of 100 (percent), I’d say I’m about 70 (percent). Good enough to play, but it could still get better. I still got a long summer ahead of me. But definitely looking forward to the future.”

Ball last month exercised the $21.4 million player option on his contract for next season. He last appeared in an NBA game since January 14, 2022. In other words, the multiple surgeries on his knee have cost him two and a half seasons.

In that time, point guard Coby White has become one of the NBA’s rising young players. So it’ll be interesting to see how the Bulls handle Ball’s return, as well as the situation with guard Zach LaVine, who the team is reportedly looking to trade.

Anyway, Ball underwent a cartilage transplant in his left knee last March. Some close to him are expecting he will be ready to go in 2024-25.

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

“It’s motivation for me because there’s been people that have been counted out,” he told ESPN at the start of the season. “For me, it’s about getting back and doing what I want to do and love to do, which is play basketball.”