Tag: Lonzo Ball

Chris Paul floated as potential free agent target for Bulls

Chris Paul could emerge as a free agency target for the Chicago Bulls, if the Golden State Warriors decide to waive him.

Chris Paul is entering the final year of his contract, which is non-guaranteed and worth $30 million. The Golden State Warriors are expected to either trade the veteran ball-handler or waive him, making him an unrestricted free agent. That’s where the Chicago Bulls come into play, as they could look to add the veteran ball-handler to shore up their second unit.

In a recent article for ESPN, Chris Herring proposed the Bulls acquire Paul if he hits the free agent market. He believes Paul could help unlock Chicago’s offense, either as a bench guard or part of the starting unit, regardless of whether Lonzo Ball is back in the rotation.

“Even if Ball is able to come back now that he’s had a meniscus transplant, Chicago is going to need a table setter, either to serve as a starter as Ball eases into things or to relieve him and play decent minutes,” Herring wrote. “And who better to do that than Paul, who, even as he nears the age of 40, is still a solid offensive player.”

When healthy, Paul was an impressive member of the Warriors rotation. He accepted a bench role for the first time in his career and finished the season with averages of 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists on 44.1% shooting from the field and 37.1% from three-point range.

If Paul is willing to sign a team-friendly deal, Chicago could be a logical landing spot for him. He would have a significant role in the rotation and could potentially help the team make a push for the 2025 NBA playoffs. Nevertheless, Paul will undoubtedly have interest from multiple teams around the NBA, as such, Chicago would need to provide an enticing offer.

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Will Lonzo Ball really be back for the start of Bulls 2024-25 season?

Will the Chicago Bulls actually see Lonzo Ball back on the court next season?

The Chicago Bulls have been without Lonzo Ball for over two calendar years now. When he was healthy, the Bulls were competitive, and since he’s been out, they haven’t been. There’s more that goes into those two realities, but Ball’s absence has certainly been felt on the court in Chicago.

However, he recently revealed that he had his meniscus replaced, as well as some cartilage. Now, it’s looking like he’s trying harder than ever to get back on the court. Ball even said on a recent edition of his podcast, “What An Experience,” that he plans on being back for the start of the 2024-25 Bulls season.

The Chicago Bulls Central YouTube channel recently discussed Ball’s sentiments and whether or not he’ll actually be back in time for next year.

Will Ball really be back on the court for next season? Only time will tell. But that would be a complete game-changer for Chicago.

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Lonzo Ball talks about potential return to Bulls for 2024-25 season

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball recently spoke about his potential return on the latest edition of his new podast.

The Chicago Bulls have been a middle-of-the-pack team for the past few seasons. They ended their rebuild in 2021, choosing to push forward and compete for the postseason. Since then, they’ve only made the playoffs in one of three seasons, and that year, they only won a single playoff game.

A big part of their struggles has been the absence of Lonzo Ball. He injured his knee in 2022 and has yet to appear on the court for the Bulls since. Ball recently revealed that he had to get his meniscus replaced, as well as some cartilage. Despite that, he plans on being back next season.

Ball recently started his own podcast, “What An Experience,” and he spoke about potentially returning for the Bulls next year.

Ball still has a ton of work to do before stepping back onto the court for the Bulls, but he seems confident in his ability to get back out there.

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Chicago’s Lonzo Ball claims he’ll play the first game of the 2024-25 NBA season with the Bulls

Is this a bit ambitious for a player who has had so many setbacks in his injury recovery to date?

Veteran Chicago Bulls floor general Lonzo Ball has already missed the last two and a half NBA seasons due to a knee injury that seems like it will never get better. But in recent months, the Bulls guard has evidently been making progress towards an NBA return.

In fact, Ball has even gone as far as to claim that he will be back on the court with Chicago when the Bulls begin their 2024-25 campaign at the start of the next regular season. Is this a bit ambitious for a player who has had so many setbacks in his injury recovery to date?

The hosts of the “Locked On Bulls” podcast, Haize and Pat the Designer, are rightfully a bit skeptical of such a bold pronouncement when they got into Ball’s claim on a recent episode of their show.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about a potential Ball return to the Bulls next season.

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Should the Chicago Bulls rip off the band-aid and trade away everyone?

How hard should the front office go in reimagining this roster?

The Chicago Bulls‘ front office has finally woken up to the fact that major changes are needed if this ball club is going to compete in future seasons. But there are plenty worried that the execs might not go far enough in retooling the roster. Should the Bulls rip off the band-aid and trade away everyone?

It goes without saying that the Bulls need to move on from injured guard Lonzo Ball, often-injured combo guard Zach LaVine, and aging big man Nikola Vucevic. But what about players like found gold reserve guard Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu? Are they off the table in terms of tradeable players?

How hard should the front office go in reimagining this roster? The hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast took a closer look at the range of possibility on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on how Chicago should be approaching this rebuild.

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Lonzo Ball has strong message for Hawks: ‘I hope they get worse’

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is apparently not a huge fan of the Atlanta Hawks.

It’s been over two years since Lonzo Ball has stepped on a basketball court for the Chicago Bulls. When he was playing, the Bulls were one of the better teams in the league, but since he’s been out, they have been a middle-of-the-pack team. That said, there has been some recent noise surrounding his potential return for the 2024-25 season.

Ball recently started his own podcast, “What an Experience,” that also stars his brother LiAngelo Ball, as well as their two friends, Dmo and Ant. A recent episode revealed his potential plans for a return, but he’s also spoken about the Atlanta Hawks, weirdly enough.

When asked about Atlanta winning the first overall pick, Ball talked some smack. (H/t Farbod Esnaashari of Bulls News)

“I don’t give a f**k, Ball said. “I hope they get worse to be honest. Restart.”

The Bulls eliminated the Hawks from the Play-In Tournament this year, but other than that, the connection between the two teams isn’t that vast.

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Lonzo Ball provides major update on potential return

Lonzo Ball expects to return to the Bulls rotation next season.

Lonzo Ball hasn’t played for the Chicago Bulls since Jan. 14, 2022. He has been trying to work his way back to fitness following a meniscus tear in his left knee. Ball originally joined the Bulls to be the focal point of their offense. His playmaking and elite defense were seen as the ideal complement to DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.

Ball has one year left on his current $80 million deal. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025. When speaking on a recent episode of the “What An Experience” podcast, Ball gave an update on his current injury status. He noted how he’s expecting to be available for the opening game of Chicago’s 2024-25 season.

“Yes. I firmly believe that,” Ball said. “That’s the plan that I’m on. And I haven’t had any setbacks. I expect to play the first game.”

Ball has played just 35 games since joining the Bulls, averaging 13 points, 5.1 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game. He was shooting 42.3% from the field and 42.3% from 3-point range. However, after missing such a significant amount of playing time, the Bulls must limit their expectations.

Ball will need some time to get back to his best. Two years away from professional-level basketball will certainly have lowered his potential ceiling. His conditioning will also be a work in progress. Nevertheless, the Bulls will undoubtedly be happy to get Ball back onto the floor and potentially challenge for a spot in the playoffs next season, assuming he can avoid any further injuries or setbacks.

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Lonzo Ball revealed details on his mysterious knee surgery and it all sounds pretty gruesome

Especially the part where he has to get a completely new meniscus

Lonzo Ball has not been on an NBA basketball court in two seasons, folks. Yes, it’s been that long.

The Bulls and Ball himself have maintained that he’s just fine and that his rehab for the mysterious knee injury that has him missing in action is going as well as it possibly can. But, y’all. Again. IT’S BEEN TWO YEARS. Things are definitively not fine.

Now, thanks to Lonzo, we’ve gotten a few details on what actually happened and why his recovery has been so tough.

On his What An Experience Show podcast (Nice! Another NBA podcast! Exactly what we needed!) with LiAngelo Ball and DMo, Lonzo revealed the procedure he went through. And, to be sincere, folks, it sounds like they just had to rebuild his knee completely. It’s so gruesome.

Here are the details:

“To make a long story short, ultimately, it started with a meniscus tear. It basically started with the Lakers when I tore it the first time. Tore it a couple more times to a point to where there was no more meniscus left. Bone on bone was rubbing. So the cartilage was gone and the bone was messed up. So I had to get new meniscus from a donor, I had to get a bone allograft and I had to get some new cartilage put in as well. All that healed up and now I’m back on the court.” 

EXCUSE ME, SIR? I’m sorry, but this man just said that he got a new meniscus from a donor and I am at a loss. I didn’t even know a meniscus was something that was transferrable.

Also, Lonzo, my brother, how on Earth can you walk right now? Let alone play basketball? That’s insane. I’m almost certain I’d be walking with a cane right now if I went through just half of that.

More power to Zo, though. I’m glad to hear that the ordeal he’s been going through is partially over and he’s playing basketball again. I just hope we get to see him on an NBA court when next season rolls around.

Will the Chicago Bulls waive Lonzo Ball to save money this offseason?

Will the Chicago Bulls decide to waive Lonzo Ball this offseason?

It’s been a tough three years for the Chicago Bulls. After a promising start to the 2021-22 season, they fell apart in the second half of the year, largely due to an injury to Lonzo Ball. In the two seasons since then, Ball has yet to make his return to the court, and Chicago has endured two straight losing seasons.

However, Ball will be back next season. He just recently picked up his player option, securing his spot on the team for the 2024-25 season. However, what if the Bulls wanted to finally cut ties with the guard? They could try to trade him, or if worst comes to worst, they could waive him.

The CHGO Sports YouTube channel recently discussed whether or not the Bulls will decide to waive Ball this summer in hopes of creating more cap space to work with.

It seems unlikely the Bulls will cut ties with Ball considering how long they’ve stuck by him, but only time will tell.

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Would a Lonzo Ball return be a good thing for the Chicago Bulls?

Would Lonzo Ball coming back be good for the Chicago Bulls?

It’s been over two calendar years since Lonzo Ball stepped onto the basketball court for the Chicago Bulls. He suffered a knee injury in the middle of the 2021-22 season and hasn’t been back. Since then, the Bulls have endured two straight losing seasons, including two straight Play-In Tournament exits at the hands of the Miami Heat.

Ball just recently accepted his player option for the 2024-25 season, as it was widely expected he would, and is set to rejoin the team for another year. There have been some rumblings of progress in regard to his recovery, but he’s still yet to sniff the hardwood.

The Locked On Bulls podcast recently discussed whether or not a Ball return would be a good thing for Chicago at this point.

Seeing Ball back on the court would be an amazing story, but for a Bulls team that should be planning for the future, would they be better off just moving on from the point guard?

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