Lonzo Ball makes a $21 million decision about the future

On By Vaseline

Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball has not played since January 14, 2022.

It took three operations to repair his balky knee. He initially received a timeline of six to eight weeks. It remains uncertain whether he will be able to make his return for the 2024-2025 season.

However, they do know that he plans to appear on their books after Ball makes an expected financial decision.

Ball picked up his $21.4 million player option for the 2024-2025 season.

“As expected, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has picked up the $21.4 million option on his 2024-2025 contract, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN CEO Adrian Wojnarowski reports this at X on May 4. “Ball has missed the last 2.5 seasons with a knee injury. He signed an original four-year, $80 million free agent deal in 2021.”

Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said they were in a wait-and-see mode on Ball before deciding whether to potentially file a claim for damages.

“We’ll just wait and see his progression in the coming months,” Karnisovas said during his end-of-season press conference on April 20. “He is making good progress, everything looks good, without any setbacks. So we’ll see where he stands in a few months.”

The Bulls could get that $21 million in relief if Ball can’t return next season.

An independent NBA panel will have to rule that his career with injuries ends, which could be difficult given Ball insists he plans to return. Head Coach Billy Donovan noted the marked improvement Ball had made.

‘He starts running. I know we talked about it last time. Some of the training was, I think, very, very positive in terms of running, cutting, jumping, doing those things, which he’s made progress in, and responding well. Donovan told reporters on March 9. “Some of the things the guys showed me is he looks good.”

The Bulls could use more clarity on Ball’s prospects before they get too deep into the offseason, though it’s unlikely they’ll get it.

Lavar Ball expects ‘4 or 5 months’ for Lonzo Ball’s return

‘Lonzo is doing well man. Like I said, man, my boys have strong minds and they’re together. And he will do what he has to do to get back on the field and do something he loves. So it’s only a matter of time,” LaVar Ball said on “Parkins and Spiegel” on April 4.

“I think in at least four or five months. Four or five months where he can really relax and do what he does.’

Ball clearly noticed that his son was not experiencing any pain.

He was also clear that his son should regain his strength, praising his ability to return to his typical self once he was healthy. To that end, Ball rejected the idea that previous instances of players not returning from similar procedures had any impact on his son.

However, that doesn’t help the Bulls much. They are entering what could be an offseason full of roster changes.

“LaVar’s four-month projection has Lonzo returning around August; a return closer to five months would put him in early September,” KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago wrote on May 4. “With the 2024 NBA Draft kicking off on June 27 and NBA free agency opening three days afterward, Ball creates a difficult timeline for the Bulls to determine his place during a turning point in the organization.

Brandon Roy’s message to Bulls’ Lonzo Ball

The example most often associated with Ball is that of former Portland Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy. Roy’s once promising career came to an abrupt halt after a series of knee injuries took their toll.

Roy expressed concerns about Ball upon his return, specifically the expectations for the dynamic guard.

“(Ball) has to be realistic about himself and what he’s going to be able to do,” Roy said in May 2023, according to Joshua M. Hicks for the Bigs. “It may not be at the level of an All-Star point guard, but there are some things he can adjust about his game and he can still help a team.

Ball’s game was never based on explosive athleticism.

But when he returns, he will undoubtedly have to remove some rust. And it can be difficult when the Bulls’ backcourt is so crowded.