Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told NBA reporter K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago that Lonzo Ball has begun cutting, sprinting and jumping.
Ball won’t play this season after undergoing a cartilage transplant in his left knee last March. He hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022.
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The point guard averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists for Chicago in 2021-22 in 35 games while shooting 42.3% from the field, 42.3% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
Ball has career averages of 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers, Pelicans and Bulls. The UCLA product was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Lakers.
The Bulls are 31-32 on the season. They are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Chicago missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2022 and Ball not playing at all was a big reason why the Bulls struggled.
Some people around the NBA don’t believe Ball will play ever again. Ball told ESPN in October he will be back.
“It’s motivation for me because there’s been people that have been counted out,” Ball said. “For me, it’s about getting back and doing what I want to do and love to do, which is play basketball.
“Honestly, being out for as long as I’ve been out and all the injuries I have to deal with I think you just have to be positive. First and foremost. If you lose your mind, you’re going to lose the battle. So it always starts with being positive and hoping for the best.”
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