The Chicago Bulls are in a bind, as they need to improve a roster that only won 39 games this season but don't have many ways to do it.
Depending on what the Bulls do with their own free agents and the contract of Zach LaVine, they will have precious little in terms of cap space or assets to use in trades.
That cap space took another hit yesterday when it was announced that the always-injured Lonzo Ball would opt into his $21.4 million player option for next season, a move that surprised no one:
As expected, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has picked up the $21.4 million option on his contract for 2024-2025, sources tell ESPN. Ball has missed the last 2.5 seasons with a knee injury. He signed an original four-year, $80M free agent deal in 2021. pic.twitter.com/KJt3cx2DNs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 4, 2024
Ball, who has played 35 games total for the Bulls, has one year left on his $80 million deal, a contract that looked like a value when it was signed, but has been a disaster for Chicago, as Ball has missed the last 2.5 seasons.
So where does his injury stand now, and what does this contract mean for the Bulls?
Lonzo Ball injury status
Ball is reportedly making progress with the rehab on his knee and it was reported in March that he was "sprinting and cutting during on-court drills in controlled, non-contact situations," but not yet participating in full 5-on-5 action.
Ball hopes to return for the 2024-25 season, but the Bulls can't count on that and certainly can't make future plans as if Ball is going to be in the lineup.
Ball has been a walking injury his entire career, never playing more than 63 games in a season.
What does Lonzo Ball's contract mean for the Chicago Bulls?
It was no surprise that Ball opted in, as there is no chance he'd get that much money as a free agent.
The Bulls are likely stuck with his deal unless it was ruled that he couldn't play again, in which case his contract would be voided. But this is an unlikely outcome and Ball will be given every chance to prove he can play.
The best-case scenario for the Chicago Bulls is that Ball gives them something next season, as they would have to attach assets to move his deal right now and it's highly unlikely that it will be voided.
If Ball plays next season and shows he is healthy, it's possible the Bulls could flip him at the deadline and recoup something for all they have investedl, but a lot would have to go right for that to happen.
The Bulls are in a tough spot, and really just have to hope for the best with Ball's knee, a refrain we've heard plenty during his stint in Chicago.