During an appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio, Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reported guard Lonzo Ball is "moving closer" to a return. Fantasy managers have heard this before, so seeing is believing. However, recent reports over the last few months have indicated the Bulls are confident Ball will return to the court this season for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. The 26-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals before going down with a knee injury. Yet, even when Ball is back in the lineup, he'll likely be severely limited in terms of his workload. Additionally, the Bulls' backcourt is crowded, with the team acquiring Josh Giddey from OKC this offseason. While Ball could gain fantasy appeal at some point in 2024-25, he won't see much interest from fantasy managers early in the season.
Bulls "Confident" Lonzo Ball Will Play This Season
According to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, the Bulls expect Lonzo Ball (knee) to suit up this season. However, nobody can say for sure when that will happen. The 26-year-old last played during the 2021-22 campaign, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals. He also shot a career-high 42.3% from deep. Unfortunately, Ball hasn't played a game since January 2022 because of a left knee injury. Without question, Chicago would love to have the former UCLA Bruin back in the lineup. But it could take him a while before he has a chance to do anything worthwhile for fantasy managers.
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) gave an update on his injury status on his new podcast, "What an Experience." "It's coming along, man. Week by week," Ball said. "It's improving, so that's all I can ask for. Still not where I want it to be. Out of 100 (percent), I'd say I'm about 70 (percent). Good enough to play, but it could still get better. I still got a long summer ahead of me. But definitely looking forward to the future." The talented playmaker hasn't played in an NBA game since January 2022 due to a left knee injury. Ball, who will turn 27 in October, recently picked up a $21.4 million option on his contract for the 2024-25 season.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) exercised his $21.4 million option for the 2024-25 campaign. This was expected, especially since the 2017 No. 2 overall pick has been sidelined by a left knee injury for over two years. During his time away, he's undergone three surgeries to address the issue, including a cartilage transplant. Ball most recently played 35 games for the Bulls after being traded by the Pelicans and posted some of his best numbers, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting a career-high 42.3% from behind the arc. With that said, the 26-year-old doesn't have a return date. But even if he gets back on the floor at some point, it could take him a while to work his way up to full speed. The risk of re-injury and potential decreased production will also be factors for fantasy managers to consider, even if there is a positive update regarding his health at some point in the next few months.
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) is still unable to sprint as he continues to rehab his left knee. "I don't know if he's stuck," said Bulls head coach Billy Donovan on Tuesday. "He is doing some shooting, some running, some jumping. He hasn't done any sprinting yet, that I know." Donovan added, "They talked about that, and [sprinting] was kind of a goal, a set point. I do think the one thing that has been a priority right now, so he does not get set back, is he needs to develop more strength in his leg." Ball last played in the NBA in January 2022.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) remains out after undergoing multiple surgeries over the last few years, including a cartilage transplant in March 2023. With nearly a year since the procedure, the 26-year-old is still without a return date. Ball provided an update on his health during Saturday's meeting with the Kings, reporting he's "doing much better." While still not running, he's pain-free, which is undoubtedly good news. For now, Ball will continue to rehab, with the hope of one day returning to the court. The 2017 No. 2 overall pick averaged 11.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 252 regular season games. During his most recent campaign in 2021-22, he shot a career-high 42.3% from deep, a significant improvement from his rookie year. Although Ball is nowhere near ready to play, he's a capable fantasy producer. But his inability to stay healthy has been an issue since he entered the league.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) recently said during a podcast that he's going to miss the entire 2023-2024 season. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Bulls' Vice President Arturas Karnisovas said in June that he expected the point guard to miss a second straight season. The 25-year-old guard appears to be doing better in his recovery process. However, he's not ready to play, so the Bulls will have to adjust without Ball for the upcoming 2023 season.
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) is not expected to return in 2023-2024 after missing all of last season, too. It's a gloomy forecast for both the 25-year-old Ball and the Bulls, as the playmaker's void was felt on both ends of the floor last campaign. It looks like Chicago may have to trot out some conglomeration of Alex Caruso, Patrick Beverley, Ayo Dosunmu, and Coby White at the 1 next year. Caruso is the only one of them under contract next season. 2022 first-rounder Dalen Terry could even get more involved as a type of point forward. It's likely to be a value-canceling rotation for fantasy purposes.
Bulls "Privately" Believe Lonzo Ball's Career Is Over
According to Dan Bernstein of WSCR, many within the Bulls organization believe Lonzo Ball (knee) may never play again. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since January 2022 because of a right knee injury and eventually missed the entire 2022-23 campaign. There was hope he'd be back this year. However, he underwent a third surgery in March, a procedure that included cartilage being replaced. Nobody has ever returned from an injury of that magnitude. But dynasty managers should remain optimistic and keep the former UCLA Bruin on the roster until there is an official update on his future.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) remains without a timeline for his return. Ball missed out on the whole 2022-23 season and his future is up in the air after he had a third knee surgery in March. The versatile guard last appeared in a game in January 2022. There are doubts about whether Ball can continue his playing career, but Chicago expects him back. "I have confidence that he's going to come back," Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas said. "In terms of timeline, I don't have that timeline right now because he just had his procedure." The 25-year-old Ball, who has a contract through the 2024-25 season, has averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals for his career.
