The Chicago Bulls have a big decision to make this offseason with guard Zach LaVine set to be a free agent. However, one of the biggest keys for their success next season may rest with the recovery of point guard Lonzo Ball.
The guard suffered a knee injury in early 2022 and missed the remainder of the season and is still recovering. With Ball, Chicago’s offense looked different and really struggled at times without a true facilitator or another three-point threat.
But now, the concerns are growing about Ball’s injury according to one local radio host and reporter.
David Kaplan of ESPN1000 and NBC Sports Chicago went on the radio Monday morning and reported that the Bulls are concerned with Ball’s knee injury. He said sources told him that the knee isn’t getting better and the front office is concerned that he has pain anytime he tries to ramp it up:
According to @thekapman:
1) There’s serious concerns within the Chicago Bulls front office about Lonzo Ball’s knee.
2) Lonzo’s knee is not getting better and the Bulls front office is concerned about why he still has pain anytime he tries to ramp it up.
(Via @ESPN1000)
Well, that’s not good.
The 24-year-old guard is coming off his first season with the franchise and averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He played in 35 games and shot 42.3 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from the three-point line.
Depth behind Ball is a concern as well for Chicago. While Alex Caruso has been good while healthy, Coby White has struggled in that role and appears to be better suited as a shooting guard off of the bench.
Chicago could look to make another move at point guard this offseason if Ball’s knee continues to bother him and he’s not ready to go for the start of the season. But at this point in time, it appears to be the worst-case scenario. And there is still a long ways to go here this offseason.
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