The former second-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has had one of the most unique and improbable careers in American professional sports history. After being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, and traded once more to the Chicago Bulls, Ball suffered one of the most gruesome series of injuries seen in NBA history. He was sidelined for over three years, or 1,000 days, and returned to the floor this year with entirely unknown expectations. His magnitude of injury and duration of time away from the game are unprecedented, leaving many to have written him off over the past few years. Despite a seemingly impossible mountain of adversity to climb, Ball has played in 30 of Chicago's 35 games this year, made a noticeable impact on winning basketball games, and recently inked a two-year extension to stay with the Bulls. Here's why he opted to stay with the rebuilding franchise over chasing a title elsewhere.
"Feels Like Family Here"
Ball was one of the hottest names coming out of Chicago for a month leading into the trade deadline two weeks ago, and the belief was he'd be shipped off to the highest-bidding contending roster in need of a reserve point guard. With an expiring contract this summer, injury concerns, and already 27 years old, the Bulls could better utilize draft capital in the pending rebuild than what he provides between the lines. To the surprise of the masses, he inked a two-year, $20 million deal just days before the trade deadline. This ended any trade speculation for the rest of the season. His reasoning for staying put another few years was simple: loyalty.
Lonzo Ball said he never wanted to leave Chicago when approaching his re-signing at the deadline: “To be honest, I just wanted to stay here.”
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) February 19, 2025
Emphasized the importance of his doctor being in Chicago and the loyalty the Bulls showed throughout his recovery process. pic.twitter.com/3iziDwrMJF
Ball's decision seemingly came down to wanting to repay the organization for their faith during his recovery, among other things. Many franchises would, and have before, written off similarly injured players in the past without giving them a chance of redemption for getting sidelined. Since his contract was continually voided, his doctors were persistent that he'd return to play, and Ball provided a positive presence in the point guard role; the Bulls bet on their man, and it paid off.
Cheap Contract, Great Trade Asset
The entire Lonzo Ball story in Chicago over the past four seasons has been one of the most inspiring and uplifting things to follow surrounding the Bulls in recent memory. This contract represents a puzzle piece in an evolving rebuild, a piece that will be used when the franchise can turn the most profit on it. This could mean moving Ball to the highest bidding contender in exchange for draft capital or young assets at the next trade deadline, next summer, or two trade deadlines from now. In any case, the veteran presence and the clear production are irreplaceable for their youthful roster.
The Lonzo Ball comeback journey is one of the greatest stories any fan can appreciate 🙏@ZO2_ | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/wFuVTGG14u
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 27, 2025
Ball defies the history of basketball injuries and disproves many doubters as the season progresses. He's improved each month and has shown more signs of his previous self with each game.
Will his play lead Chicago to trade him elsewhere for future assets, or will he finish his career with an organization willing to support him during a nearly impossible recovery process?
