Lonzo Ball exhibits progress in 5-on-5 scrimmage as Bulls guard works on comeback after lacking two seasons

Lonzo Ball hasn’t performed in an NBA recreation since Jan. 14, 2022, however after two and a half years sidelined with accidents, this can be the season we truly see him return to the ground. This week, Ball participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage with fellow NBA gamers Jaren Jackson Jr., Daniel Gafford and Deandre Jordan. 

Ball confirmed off his passing abilities and his jumpshot within the video, although he wasn’t working at full pace within the scrimmage. The Bulls stated he was cleared for 5-on-5 contact at first of August, which is a optimistic signal for Ball and the Bulls, and this video exhibits proof that he is nearer to a return than ever earlier than.

It is the primary footage we have seen of Ball in game-like motion since his final NBA recreation, and it is an vital milestone in his comeback from an damage that is seen fixed setbacks.

Ball initially tore his meniscus in January 2022, which price him the remainder of the season. It was a large blow for a Bulls crew that had a 22-13 report when he performed to begin the season. Chicago ranked close to the highest of the Japanese Convention on the time and regarded like a crew that might make some noise within the postseason due to a potent offense behind DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine and the defensive duo of Ball and Alex Caruso. Ball was the orchestrator on offense, establishing teammates and flattening 3s, whereas taking part in hard-nosed protection on the opposite finish of the ground. He was the best level guard for that Bulls crew, and as soon as he went out with the torn meniscus, Chicago wasn’t the identical.

There was hope that Ball would return the next season, as most gamers do after rehabbing from a torn meniscus for a yr. However Ball suffered setbacks in his rehab and needed to endure one other knee surgical procedure, this time an arthroscopic debridement process to clear up particles from his knee. He then underwent a 3rd knee surgical procedure in March 2023, which was an experimental cartilage transplant that gave him a brand new meniscus.

All these surgical procedures pushed Ball’s return additional down the road, however since his most up-to-date surgical procedure, he hasn’t suffered any setbacks on his highway to restoration. That is nice information for the Bulls, however extra so for Ball, who enters the 2024-25 season within the last yr of his contract. Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in the summertime of 2021 as a part of a sign-and-trade with New Orleans. Given his expertise as a facilitator and defender, it was a steal of a contract. However by the primary three years of that deal, Ball has performed simply 35 video games. He picked up the participant possibility he had on his contract this summer season, which was value $21.3 million, so at any time when he does return to Chicago’s lineup, he’ll be taking part in with the added stress of attempting to safe his subsequent contract.

You’d assume that if Ball is wholesome, the Bulls would re-sign him, however Chicago’s offseason strikes recommend that no matter how Ball returns, they could be seeking to shut the guide on that period. Chicago is coming into a brand new stage after dropping DeMar DeRozan in free company to the Sacramento Kings and buying and selling Alex Caruso — their most useful commerce asset — to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey. 

The acquisition of Giddey was solely seen as a alternative for Ball, as he is considered as the place to begin guard for the Bulls when the 2024-25 season begins. That does not imply Ball will not get helpful minutes if he can absolutely get better. Nonetheless, given his damage historical past, the Bulls could also be cautious of signing him to a different contract, particularly since Chicago will nonetheless be paying LaVine and Nikola Vucevic a mixed $67.5 million after subsequent season whereas additionally coping with the unrestricted free company of Giddey subsequent summer season.

It is nice to see Ball making significant progress in the direction of a return. And whereas the Bulls are farther from playoff rivalry this season than when he initially signed his contract, it could be a perfect state of affairs for him to make his comeback with the expectations not as excessive in Chicago.