Will Lonzo Ball ever make a comeback in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls? Fans are cautiously optimistic about his potential return for the 2024-25 season.
The 6-foot-6 point guard has been sidelined since January 2022 due to a left knee meniscus tear, which occurred just 35 games into his tenure with the Bulls. Initially, the injury was thought to require a recovery period of only six to eight weeks, but after undergoing three surgeries, Ball remains absent from the court.
Before his knee troubles, Ball had already dealt with injuries early in his career. During his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-18 and 2018-19), he missed an average of 32.5 games per season. The Lakers later traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans alongside young talents like Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart in exchange for superstar Anthony Davis, contributing to Los Angeles’ 17th championship title.
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In New Orleans, Ball’s fortunes changed significantly. He transformed from a poor shot maker to a reliable 3-point shooter and became known for his defensive skills. During his last full season with the Pelicans, he averaged a career-high 14.6 points, with solid shooting percentages and other notable stats.
Ball joined the Bulls on a four-year, $80 million deal in 2021, with a player option for the 2024-25 season valued at $21.4 million. Given his ongoing recovery challenges, he naturally opted in. Unfortunately, he has only played in 35 games out of 246 available since joining Chicago.
Recently, Bulls center Nikola Vucevic shared insights on Ball’s recovery, noting he has progressed to five-on-five workouts. “I’ve heard he’s looking good… I’m excited to see him back,” Vucevic commented, expressing his hope that Ball can return to the court. “He’ll mean so much to our team because of his talent.”
Meanwhile, Coby White has stepped up as the starting point guard, showcasing a strong performance in the 2023-24 season and finishing second in the Most Improved Player voting.
Vucevic reminisced about the impact Ball had when he was healthy: “When he was playing, we were a much better team. His absence was tough. It’s always hard not knowing how long he would be out.” The team’s core has since changed, with key players moving on, including All-Defensive Second Team guard Alex Caruso and All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
In retrospect, the trio’s time together resulted in only one playoff series, leading many to wonder if the changes were necessary for the team’s future.
Read more: Bulls All-Star Mourns Summer Departure of DeMar DeRozan