A former Lakers guard may make his return to the NBA this season.
Lonzo Ball, the former Los Angeles Lakers guard, has been one of the more disappointing players in the NBA recently, not due to his talent but because of persistent injuries.
Drafted second overall by the Lakers in 2017 with great expectations of becoming a franchise star, Ball was traded to New Orleans when the team acquired Anthony Davis, where he played for two seasons.
He then joined the Chicago Bulls through a sign-and-trade, teaming up with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Chicago appeared to be a strong contender in the NBA, but then trouble hit.
Ball injured his knee and was sidelined for the rest of the season. After undergoing surgery before the 2022-23 season, he hasn’t been able to return due to multiple setbacks.
However, there was renewed hope for his comeback this coming season, and optimism continues to grow about it actually happening.
Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Lonzo Ball has begun participating in scrimmages without experiencing any setbacks. He was expected to start full-contact 5-on-5 games in August and appears to be on track.
“The Bulls confirmed that Ball has commenced full-contact 5-on-5 scrimmages as planned for August, and according to a source, he has done so without any issues.”
In July, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan shared an update on Ball ahead of these scrimmages, saying, “We’re hoping to get Lonzo back. He’s getting closer… He’s a player everyone enjoys playing with, and I think the same goes for Josh.”
If Ball makes a comeback, it would be great news for everyone in the NBA. He was just beginning to hit his stride before the injury, boasting a career-best 42.3 percent shooting from three-point range.
The Bulls will probably take a careful approach with the former Laker, but this is an encouraging sign. At just 26 years old, if he can return to the court, he still has many years of potential ahead
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