Chicago Bulls believe Lonzo Ball's career is over

Tim Kempton · Post #1 » by **Tim Kempton** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:10 pm

https://bullswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/28/chicago-bulls-believe-lonzo-ball-wont-ever-play-again/

As per the article...

"During a recent edition of the Organizations Win Championships podcast, Bernstein revealed that Chicago privately believes Ball won’t ever step foot on an NBA court again, as relayed by Daniel Greenberg.

“The Chicago Bulls privately don’t think that it’s likely Lonzo Ball will ever play again, per @dan_bernstein on Organizations Win Championship Podcast,” Greenberg tweeted."

Dan Bernstein, who first made the claim, is the host of 670 The Score.

If this is true, it would be tragic considering how well he's played and how normal he is despite his father.

celtxman · Post #2 » by **celtxman** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:38 pm

Very sad if true

meekrab · Post #3 » by **meekrab** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:39 pm

Kind of bizarre they got denied an injury hardship exception for his contract.

jkvonny · Post #4 » by **jkvonny** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:42 pm

Dang. Sorry to hear Lonzo , Chicago Bulls, and fans

Too young. He's a solid player, too.

I hope can pull a Derrick Rose and come back!

-Luke- · Post #5 » by **-Luke-** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:48 pm

Man, he's still only 25 years old. Played really good for the Bulls before he went down last season. I still hope we see him on the floor again.

druggas · Post #6 » by **druggas** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:55 pm

He hasn't been able to stay healthy since he was drafted.

Castle Black · Post #7 » by **Castle Black** » Sun May 28, 2023 8:57 pm

Pretty sad if true. He was hailed as the next Jason Kidd coming out of UCLA. But it’s just been nothing but unfortunate setbacks his entire career. Feel bad for the guy. He was a legit talent.

itrsteve · Post #8 » by **itrsteve** » Sun May 28, 2023 9:23 pm

If true, at least his contract is favorable with another guaranteed $42m coming his way. If properly managed, that should hold a few generations.

Roy T · Post #9 » by **Roy T** » Sun May 28, 2023 9:25 pm

I liked him as a player, but damn his father really made it difficult for me...

Effigy · Post #10 » by **Effigy** » Sun May 28, 2023 9:25 pm

itrsteve wrote:If true, at least his contract is favorable with another guaranteed $42m coming his way. If properly managed, that should hold a few generations.

True, and of course there are other things he can do after the contract like coaching or commentating.

Beethoven · Post #11 » by **Beethoven** » Sun May 28, 2023 9:43 pm

Sad to hear. The guy is a more than solid player if healthy, integrated into any team or system.

GeorgeSears · Post #12 » by **GeorgeSears** » Sun May 28, 2023 9:55 pm

I hope it's not true. He proved his worth in the last three seasons. I would hate for this to turn into an Oden situation where they get injured while they're ascending.

BrianInPhilly · Post #13 » by **BrianInPhilly** » Sun May 28, 2023 9:55 pm

Sad but he does have a game that would age gracefully or if he loses his athleticism. That size, court vision, and even improved 3-point shot could easily make him a solid player into his mid 30’s ... if he’s ever able to remotely be healthy again

GreatWhiteStiff · Post #14 » by **GreatWhiteStiff** » Sun May 28, 2023 10:04 pm

itrsteve wrote:If true, at least his contract is favorable with another guaranteed $42m coming his way. If properly managed, that should hold a few generations.

Yeah I agree, 42 million should last you a while.

W_HAMILTON · Post #15 » by **W_HAMILTON** » Sun May 28, 2023 10:05 pm

Does anyone have a quick summary -- or even a comprehensive article that lies out the entire timeline, since that might be interesting to read as well -- of what the deal is with his injury? I knew he kept having problems, but it's usually rare to see a career completely sidelined by an injury, so I'm wondering what the full story. I haven't followed it very closely other than hearing he would keep having to miss time, but I just figured it was a lingering injury he would eventually get fully fixed and recover from, not something that would basically force him to retire...

Airmiess · Post #16 » by **Airmiess** » Sun May 28, 2023 10:06 pm

They're going to try and stretch that contract like Lakers did Luol Deng. The hard part is trying to convince a former fringe star his career is over before 30.

UglyBugBall · Post #17 » by **UglyBugBall** » Sun May 28, 2023 10:29 pm

I feel terrible for the owners. He's on the hook for tens of millions of dollars for Lonzo to do absolutely nothing but sit at home. It sucks for Lonzo too, I'm sure he'd rather be playing and I feel a little for him, but these guaranteed contracts really suck for the owners who already have to overpay players due to the CBA

Post #18 » by **Clav** » Sun May 28, 2023 11:12 pm

UglyBugBall wrote:I feel terrible for the owners. He's on the hook for tens of millions of dollars for Lonzo to do absolutely nothing but sit at home. It sucks for Lonzo too, I'm sure he'd rather be playing and I feel a little for him, but these guaranteed contracts really suck for the owners who already have to overpay players due to the CBA

There might be some level of injury insurance at play here, not sure how it all is divided out. But honestly, you really shouldn't feel bad for the owners, they are in this game for a reason, to make money, and it's a high-risk gamble every time you own an NBA team, they know it. They aren't like us, most are billionaires, and Reisndorf has a NW or +2B.

KamikazeK · Post #19 » by **KamikazeK** » Sun May 28, 2023 11:19 pm

Imagine picking this guy over Jayson Tatum.

SK21209 · Post #20 » by **SK21209** » Sun May 28, 2023 11:19 pm

Really sad, I hope that’s not the case. Lonzo got some unwarranted hate because his dad was so annoying, he’s always seemed like a good kid and I really liked his game. It just sucks when the good guys who work hard are deprived of the opportunity by injuries.