Lonzo Ball has been out for one full calendar year. His last game was played in January 2022 before hurting his knee. The original diagnoses reported that he would return between six to eight weeks, which eventually changed to being out for the remainder of the year. Once again, Lonzo was expected to return at the start of the season, but that also got pushed back to early 2023. Now, the timeline has once again changed after Billy Donovan explained Lonzo Ball's latest condition.

“It’s been slow. He is on the court shooting, but until we can get him to a place where he can start to sprint and run and do those things to get his conditioning back, that’s where it’s at. He has shown improvements. That’s definitely happened. The frustrating part for him and for everybody has been the pace of the improvement." bILLY DONOVAN

Lonzo Ball's Impact

Unfortunately, Lonzo Ball has only played 35 games for the Bulls two years into his $80 million contract. He is the key to the Bulls' engine. It's no coincidence the Bulls found themselves with the top seed in the East, with Lonzo Ball directing the Bulls' offense.

The Bulls are fortunate enough that their backcourt is loaded with talent between Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, and Coby White. Whenever Lonzo Ball ultimately returns, one of those three will be the odd man out. For now, they're able to hold down the fort on defense. No player on this team can replace what Lonzo Ball brings to the table with his high IQ and quick decision-making on offense.

Lonzo Ball's season is in jeopardy because he's still unable to run before the All-Star break. Once he's cleared to run, he has to wait a few more weeks to catch up on his conditioning. By then, the Bulls could be deep enough into the season that Lonzo Ball's camp, Klutch Sports, advises him to sit out the remainder of the year. Klutch Sports is widely known as the agency that prioritizes a player's health and feelings ahead of the franchise.

What's Next For Lonzo Ball

The Bulls are in wait-and-see mode. Not just with Lonzo Ball but with the entire team. If he is the key to the engine, there's no point in blowing up the roster, as many suggested after their slow start to the season. If Lonzo Ball returns and his impact isn't as powerful as it once was, then the Bulls would likely consider finding a trade partner to land him so they could develop Ayo Dosunmu into the lead point guard of the team. After all, Ayo Dosunmu's contract extension is nearing, and a desperate team would likely give him a great offer.

Lonzo Ball is one of the brightest young point guards the league has seen. Most guards have a score-first mentality in this era, but he is a rare breed that can develop the offense without holding the ball most of the possession, like Chris Paul. For now, the Bulls are staying patient, but there have been very few positive updates regarding Ball.