Lonzo Ball

Jul 28, 2022

I write about the NBA, with a focus on the Chicago Bulls. New!Follow this author to improve your content experience. Got it! Got it! CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls watches from the bench as teammates ... [+] take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on April 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 127-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) Getty Images The Chicago Bulls have been relatively quiet in the 2022 NBA offseason, drafting Dalen Terry at No. 18 overall and then making two veteran signings in free agency in addition to re-signing Zach LaVine and Derrick Jones Jr. The Goran Dragic acquisition was rather eye-opening given the Bulls’ depth at guard, leading to more speculation about Lonzo Ball’s nagging knee injury. Ball underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in late January but didn’t return at all at the end of the 2021-22 season despite initial expectations he would. A troublesome bone bruise kept resulting in setback after setback, and he was ultimately shut down. The most recent updates from the Bulls in conjunction with the Dragic signing and reporting out there on the injury are an ominous sign for Ball’s status for the start of the 2022-23 campaign. While Ball didn’t want to talk about his injury at Summer League, Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas admitted that while Ball is “progressing,” it’s “not at the speed that we would like.” Karnisovas then said Chicago is hoping the point guard will be ready for training camp. This echoed statements from general manager Marc Eversley and head coach Billy Donovan before that, though Karnisovas’ was the most troubling. On top of that, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported this after Karnisovas spoke about the injury: “Multiple sources told NBC Sports Chicago that Ball’s current workout regimen has featured similar starts and stops. In other words, Ball still occasionally experiences discomfort when he increases his workload.” Lonzo Ball’s father, LaVar, tried to bring some optimism to the table by recently telling ESPN 1000’s David Kaplan the guard will be ready to rock by the time the season rolls around. While that’s all well and good, LaVar’s comments must be taken with a grain of salt. MORE FOR YOU