Prior to the Bulls‘ matchup with New York on Wednesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided a gloomy update on point guard Lonzo Ball‘s status for the 2022/23 season.
Ball, who has yet to play this season, continues to be hampered by left knee pain despite two surgeries to address the issue in the past year. The first surgery was to repair a torn meniscus in January, and the second was an arthroscopic debridement procedure in September, which involves removing foreign objects or damaged/dead tissue from a wound.
“There are no guarantees, I’m told, that he plays at all this season.” Wojnarowski said on NBA Countdown (video link). “He’s rehabbing that knee now, he’s still feeling some pain in it. I think the hope is, that perhaps by the All-Star break in mid-February, that they have a sense of whether Lonzo Ball is ready to come back and play for Chicago.
“A lot of that may depend on where are the Bulls in the standings. Right now they’re 11th, they’re out of the playoff picture. I think if they’re lingering around that area, there will be a real decision to be made about whether he plays at all.”
Wojnarowski added that the Bulls will be faced with a lot of difficult decisions ahead of the trade deadline if the team continues to struggle, but “there’s no expectation you’ll see him (Ball), at least perhaps, until around the All-Star break.”
The last official update on Ball’s status came at the end of November, when coach Billy Donovan said that the guard’s rehab process had been going “really slow.” He added that Ball, who last played in January, was “not even close” to running, jumping or cutting.
Prior to Ball’s second surgery, ESPN reported that he visited “multiple specialists” in an attempt to figure out what was causing the discomfort in his knee and to explore possible treatments. At the time, a source told ESPN that the knee was “structurally sound,” but Ball’s pain hadn’t subsided after a summer of rest and rehab.
Ball has dealt with injuries throughout his six-year career, but this is by far his longest absence. The former No. 2 overall pick had a promising start with the Bulls last season, averaging 12.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.8 SPG and 0.9 BPG while shooting 42.3% from three-point range and playing strong defense in 35 games (34.6 MPG).
Mr. Porcelain
This has Brandon Roy written all over it.
Don’t count on Ball and the Bulls need to rebuild!
Look, it is time to come to terms with reality and the Bulls need to move all assets that they can and get picks and start building around a young player in next year draft.
Said it before, I’ll say it again. Move him for contributing PG. Conley, Fultz, Porter Jr etc. lots on tank teams that would be happy to take on Ball, excuse to play GLeague level guard for the tank and then Ball next yr when/if returns. Bulls get a good guard to handle the ball. Win/Win.
It may even be an idea to look at a buy low on Simmons. As a pass first defensive PG with Lavine & DeMar it would be a doable risk. Just not sure Nets go for it.
Bulls are in a tough spot to make a decision which is why they are not trading into a rebuild yet.
Orlando owns their 2023 1st round pick (top 4 protected). If they tank and end up outside of the top 4 picks. Orlando gets it. Tank doesn’t guarantee top 4 pick.
Bulls own Portland’s 2023 1st rounder (top 14 protected).
If Portland misses the playoffs and the Bulls own pick lands at #5. They will NOT have a 2023 1st rounder.
Trading DeRozan doesn’t get you a 2023 lottery pick.
@ Verry Barry I agree, they shouldn’t move DeMar or Zach this season, unless they are in bottom 5 by TD, even then, I probably wouldn’t. that’s why I said trade Ball to a tank team for a guard who can contribute RN.
Between DeMar, Vuc and Lavine they have the talent to go into PO fairly easily. But with a good PG they can go very deep, if all are on their game.
…the Magic are NOT trading Fultz
You may be right, but if a good offer comes in you never know.
I like Fultz but if we’re honest he hasn’t proved to be an untouchable player, I still think he’ll blow up eventually and prove his initial worth. But RN I’m not sure he’d be off limits.
It’s not about him being untouchable.
Why would ORL sell low on Fultz right now? They’ve invested resources that they are just now starting to be able to reap the benefits of.
So far he has looked very promising and picked up where he left off last season:
link to twitter.com
What does CHI have to offer that helps ORL? The Magic already own the Bulls pick this year (top 4 protected).
The only way Fultz gets traded now is as part of a larger package deal that returns the Magic a no-brainer all-star tier return (in other words, very very unlikely).
You’re looking at it the wrong way. It’s not about putting him in the shop window.
What I’m saying is if Bulls decide, they need a PG RN that can contribute. Then they decide to cut their losses on Ball and go in for Fultz for example….. ORL will have what they need. And may pay more(in ideal world Ball is worth more than Fultz.)
There is no argument that Ball is one of the best 2-way guards in the league. And RN is better than Fultz. Yes Fultz CAN reach heights, but he hasn’t yet. And they both have injury problems so it’s not like that’s the kicker.
ORL may be willing to take a punt on a better PG who can support Paolo and Franz next year. And also free up some space for other players GT this year as they look to tank for a good pick. they may even go for Cole as he’s still showing production from the outside looking in. Again it’s win/win for both sides if pursued.
No, you are looking at it the completely wrong way.
It’s not about him being shopped or not shopped, it’s the basics of asset management and the likelihood that an offer is out there that exists that would prompt such a move.
Why would ORL trade Fultz for Ball- who has also NEVER been healthy + is owed more $ for longer and without the team option financial flexibility that Fultz brings? It’s not even clear that he’d be an upgrade.
…and yes there IS absolutely an argument that Ball is one of best 2-way guards in the NBA…lol he has never even played more than 63 games in 6 seasons and looks to have major knee issues.
It’s absolutely NOT a win/win for both sides.
The Magic would never trade Fultz for Ball…and you’re way off on Cole, he’s not really a PG and is a bench player tier guy.
In fact, if Magic trade anyone for Ball it would be Cole, but I seriously doubt that the Magic want to add another player that has major health issues.
Them boys be cursed thanks to daddy dearest…
Chicago needs to trade Lavine to the lakers and DeRozan to the Knicks.
Y?
wouldnt be surprised if the balls retire around 30. theyd of played 25+ years by that point and made their bag.
Who says no?
Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams for Terry Rozier and PJ Washington.
Hornets last thing they need is another injury prone player.
Hornets that is a really stupid trade for them to make. Ball brother together make no sense. It’s like putting the Morris bros together
awesome. *rolling eyes*
Horrible for the player and CHI as an organization. No guarantees for this year means no guarantees ever (at least if your talking about him returning to the player who was awarded his current contract). Unless Woj is overstating it, CHI pretty much has to wait his situation out until his return, even if its next year, because until he returns the contract will be valued as dead money in the market.