Lonzo Ball last stepped onto an NBA court on January 14, 2022. A promising guard for the Chicago Bulls, Ball's career took a significant hit when he sustained a torn meniscus that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. The severity of the injury necessitated an arthroscopic debridement procedure to clear knee debris, followed by an experimental cartilage transplant in March 2023.
Since the surgery, Ball hasn't faced any further setbacks, a hopeful sign for both him and the Bulls. In a promising step forward, the Bulls cleared Ball for 5-on-5 contact play earlier this August. Ball participated in a scrimmage alongside notable NBA peers such as Jaren Jackson Jr., Daniel Gafford, and Deandre Jordan, a crucial indicator of his progress.
A Crucial Player for the Bulls
Ball's absence was keenly felt by the Bulls. During the 2021-22 season, Chicago held an impressive 22-13 record with Ball active on the roster. His ability to orchestrate the offense, set up teammates, and hit 3-point shots while playing hard-nosed defense made him an ideal fit for the team. One anonymous observer noted, "He was the orchestrator on offense, setting up teammates and knocking down 3s, while playing hard-nosed defense on the other end of the floor."
The Bulls' dynamic changed significantly once Ball went down with the injury. Another observer remarked, "He was the ideal point guard for that Bulls team, and once he went out with the torn meniscus, Chicago wasn't the same."
Roster Changes and Financial Considerations
The landscape of the Bulls' roster has potentially altered their strategy moving forward. DeMar DeRozan exited in free agency, finding a new home with the Sacramento Kings. Meanwhile, Alex Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. These moves have reshaped the team's structure but also opened up salary cap considerations.
Star players Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are set to receive a combined $67.5 million after the next season, a significant investment in the team's core. As for Josh Giddey, he will be dealing with unrestricted free agency next summer, posing another question mark for the Bulls' long-term plans.
Ball, in the final year of his four-year, $80 million contract signed in the summer of 2021, has played just 35 games throughout the first three years of this deal. Despite the challenges, he picked up his $21.3 million player option this summer, demonstrating his commitment to return to form and contribute to the team.
Looking Ahead
As Lonzo Ball continues his recovery journey, the Bulls will be cautiously optimistic. There's a sense that if Ball can fully recover, he might regain his role on the team. "That doesn't mean Ball won't get valuable minutes if he can fully recover," commented an observer, emphasizing the potential impact of Ball's return.
The recent scrimmage participation sends a resonant message—Lonzo Ball is on his way back. The road to recovery is challenging, but Ball's apparent progress provides a ray of hope, not just for him but for the Bulls’ aspirations as well. His return could reinvigorate a team that showed significant promise with him on the court, potentially reshaping their fortunes in the seasons to come.