(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls hoped to make a big move when they signed Lonzo Ball.
They gave him a four-year deal worth $80 million three years ago, and the early returns were quite encouraging.
With Ball pulling the strings of the offense, knocking down threes, and playing stellar backcourt defense, the Bulls looked like a legitimate player in the Eastern Conference.
Then, a bizarre knee injury hit him, and he hasn’t played a single minute since January 2022.
He now has a player option for the fourth year of his contract, and that’s an easy decision to make for him.
When asked about his plans for the future and whether he would be with the Bulls next season, the former No. 2 pick affirmed that he fully intended to, showing his excitement for getting back to the Windy City (via The WAE Show and ClutchPoints).
“Will you be in a Bulls jersey at the start of [next] season?”
Lonzo Ball: “Yes. I firmly believe that. That’s the plan that I’m on… I expect to play the first game.”
(via @TheWAEShow)pic.twitter.com/Q7fNputzj6
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 24, 2024
Ball is about to make north of $21 million next season.
It’ll be two-and-a-half years since the last time he played, and there are serious doubts about his durability, even if he’s able to come back and be the same player he once was — which if a big if.
Of course, he shouldn’t be to blame for such a long layoff, as no one wants to get hurt.
Still, the Bulls look like a team that’s stuck in the worst possible position.
They’re not bad enough to get a savior in the NBA Draft, nor good enough to make a run at the NBA Finals, and the front office doesn’t seem to be interested in spending in free agency either.
So, even if the Bulls rarely make any big trades, don’t be shocked if they try to move Ball at some point in the season or the offseason.
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