‘Growing Buzz’ Bulls’ Lonzo Ball Will Play Next Season

According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, there’s a “growing buzz” that Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will play next season. 

Ball hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022. He underwent a cartilage transplant in his left knee last March.

“As stated in the last answer, there’s growing buzz from some who talk to Ball that he’ll play next season,” Johnson wrote. “Also as stated in the last answer, that optimism needs to be measured against the fact that he hasn’t started taking contact or playing 5-on-5. Everyone associated with the Bulls is rooting for Ball. And the Bulls have to give him one more chance unless they trade him, and there was little interest in his contract when it was included in some preliminary talks leading up to the trade deadline, mostly as part of larger packages.”

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. The UCLA product averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists 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. 

Ball has a player option worth $21.4 million for next season. While some people around the NBA don’t believe Ball will play again, Ball told ESPN in October that he will be back. 

“It’s motivation for me because there’s been people that have been counted out,” Ball said. “For me, it’s about getting back and doing what I want to do and love to do, which is play basketball.”