Kofi Inkoom
Lonzo Ball’s time with the Chicago Bulls seems to be drawing to a close, with a buyout potentially on the horizon, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
“Acquiring Giddey complicates the Bulls’ plans for the recovering Lonzo Ball, who hasn’t played since January 2022 but is expected to return next season. It’s hard not to see Giddey as a backup plan in case Ball isn’t able to come back. Bringing in Giddey could also indicate that the Bulls are ready to part ways with Ball. A trade or buyout might be likely,” Mayberry wrote.
The Bulls have been actively seeking a new playmaker to fill Ball’s role. Josh Giddey, 21, appears to be a promising option with All-Star potential, which he might not fully realize with the OKC Thunder due to their already strong roster of playmakers, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski points out.
Ball has endured a tough stretch with his knee injury, which has sidelined him since January 2022. It all started with a minor meniscus tear that led to several surgeries, including a rare and complicated meniscus transplant aimed at fixing his worsening condition.
Ball, currently on a $21.4 million expiring contract, is gearing up to play next season after being out since January 14, 2022. Over his career, he has averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.