“We really had a chance” – Injury-hit Lonzo Ball shares GUILT over wasting ‘perfect’ opportunity with the Bulls

Lonzo Ball's knee injury sidelines him for another season: What it means for the Bulls.

“We really had a chance” – Injury-hit Lonzo Ball shares GUILT over wasting ‘perfect’ opportunity with the Bulls

Lonzo Ball (image via Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Once considered the Chicago Bulls point guard of the future, Lonzo Ball’s NBA journey took a significant turn after his transfer from the New Orleans Pelicans, where he had demonstrated notable improvement, especially in his shooting, and was praised for his strong perimeter defense.

However, the narrative took a disappointing turn in Chicago, with Ball’s injury problems putting a hold on his progress and the Bulls’ rise in the league. Artura Karnisovas, Bulls president of basketball operations, recently confirmed that the team is not expecting Ball to return in the upcoming season.

YouTube video

“Going into the offseason, our expectation is that he’s not coming back next season,” Karnisovas shared with ESPN. This statement implies that by the 2023-24 season, Ball would have been off an NBA court for over two years.

FS Video

In a heartfelt conversation on the FlightSportztv podcast, Ball expressed his disappointment with the connection he felt with the team. “I feel bad, just for the GMs,” he said. “That was the most I’ve ever been involved in an organization. That injury … I felt like we had a chance and never got to see what it was.”

Related: Amidst career-threatening injury, Lonzo Ball feels SMUG about ‘fame filled’ pre-NBA days

Lonzo Ball’s injury: How it affects the Bulls’ roster and future

IMG COM 20230821 2231 07 2292
Lonzo Ball (image via NBA)

Ball’s departure leaves the Bulls with the challenging task of rearranging and possibly reorganizing their roster. Ball’s unique skill set was carefully considered when building the current lineup, which lacks its backbone.

Analysts argue that even if Ball returns to the court in the future, it will be an arduous task for him to regain his pre-injury form after missing two consecutive seasons. The uphill battle could put Chicago’s championship ambitions at risk, at least in the short term.

This presents a dilemma for the Bulls’ management: to wait out Ball’s recovery and remain hopeful or to pivot and make significant roster changes. There isn’t much time left before the new season, so the Bulls may need to prepare for another challenging year.

Regardless of the path chosen, it’s inevitable that the team’s dynamics are set to change, and Ball’s road to recovery will be one of the most closely watched stories in the NBA.

In case you missed it: