Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told NBA reporters that Lonzo Ball may start running again in January.
Ball won’t play this season after undergoing a cartilage transplant in his left knee in March.
Ball hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022. The Bulls are unsure if Ball will ever play for them again, according to NBA insider Jamal Collier of ESPN.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls Updates
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 26-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Bulls in 2021-22 in 35 games while shooting 42.3% from the field, 42.3% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
“Honestly, being out for as long as I’ve been out and all the injuries I have to deal with I think you just have to be positive,” Ball said. “First and foremost. If you lose your mind, you’re going to lose the battle. So it always starts with being positive and hoping for the best.”
Ball has career averages of 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers, Pelicans and Bulls.
“It’s motivation for me because there’s been people that have been counted out,” Ball said. “For me, it’s about getting back and doing what I want to do and love to do, which is play basketball.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Bulls are 14-19 on the season. They are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago missed the playoffs last season and Ball not playing at all was a big reason why the Bulls struggled.
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