The Chicago Bulls have secured their backcourt future by agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract extension with guard Lonzo Ball. This decision comes amidst Ball's remarkable return to the NBA after a prolonged injury hiatus. The 27-year-old guard, who recently rejoined the starting lineup, has been instrumental in the Bulls' performance on the court.
Ball has been playing under a minutes restriction throughout the season as part of his recovery process. Despite this constraint, he has managed to average around 24 minutes per game, contributing 9 points per game. His shooting accuracy from the three-point range stands at an impressive 36.8%. The 6-foot-6 guard's presence on the court has been a significant advantage for the Bulls, who outscore opponents by 5.8 points per 100 possessions when Ball is playing.
Ball's journey back to the NBA has been fraught with challenges. He made an unprecedented return after undergoing three arthroscopic knee surgeries, appearing in his first NBA game in over 1,000 days. This season, in 30 appearances, Ball is averaging 7.2 points on 36% shooting, along with 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, he missed approximately four weeks in November due to a wrist injury but has fortunately avoided extended absences related to his knee.
Before the extension, Ball was in the final year of a four-year contract he signed in the summer of 2021. He was poised to become a free agent this summer. However, the Bulls' decision to extend his contract underscores their confidence in his abilities and potential contributions to the team moving forward.
In a significant roster move earlier this week, the Bulls traded their longest-tenured player, Zach LaVine. This shift signals a new direction for the team with Ball taking on a more prominent role. His recent elevation to the starting lineup, where he has started each of his past eight games, reflects this strategic shift.
Leave a Reply