NBA Notes: Bulls, Lonzo Ball, Mavericks, Sixers

Bulls

The initial diagnosis on Lonzo Ball was that he’d return soon, but the Bulls don’t expect him back until after the new year, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Ball suffered an MCL injury in January and underwent a second surgery on the knee earlier this week. He appeared in just 35 games last season, his first with Chicago.

“He’s such a vital part of their success,” Charania said, via Bally Sports. “To have him for the second half of the season has become an increasing goal for the Bulls.”

Mavericks

• While Suns forward Jae Crowder is drawing interest across the NBA, the Mavericks do not appear to be among the suitors, per John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The Mavs, Cavaliers, Celtics, Grizzlies and Heat have all been linked to Crowder.
• Coach Jason Kidd said newcomer JaVale McGee should help protect the basket, an aspect the Mavs lacked last season. “When you look at JaVale, he’s won three championships,” Kidd said, via Grant Afseth of Dallas Basketball. “He’s a great veteran guy for our young players.”
• Tyler Watts of Fansided takes a look at the three most important roster decisions Mavs GM Nico Harrison has before him this season. One of those may include whether to keep or trade Christian Wood, Watts wrote.

76ers

How will the 76ers make it work in a full season of Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey? By continuing to share the ball, Harris said, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“There’s only one basketball,” Harris said, via Pompey. “We have to find a balance of flow. Sometimes I’m that guy to make that sacrifice. It might be disappointing for people throwing out bets on points.

“But at the end of the day, do you want wins? Or do you want us to be our best team? We are not a losing team. We have to play winning basketball.”

• For more on the Sixers, including some thoughts from coach Doc Rivers, check out our 76ers page.