Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Lonzo Ball is still attempting to come back from a major knee injury and it sounds like there is some hope in his camp that a return may be possible.

In a new mailbag, KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago wrote that there is “growing buzz” that Ball will at least attempt to play next season. However, Ball has yet to even progress to 5-on-5 work, so the idea of a return is still largely speculative for the time being.

The Bulls intend to give Ball another chance to play, partly because they have no other real choice. He has a player option worth over $21 million for next season and will almost certainly exercise it, so the Bulls are invested in trying to get him back on the floor.

There has been some modest encouragement about Ball’s progress recently as he tries to come back from three procedures on the same knee. He has a long way to go before he can realistically entertain a return to game action, but at this point, even the lack of setbacks has to be considered promising.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pirates announce date for 2023 No. 1 overall pick's MLB debut
LeBron James rues 'missed opportunities' against Nuggets
Cardinals star gives update on timeline for injury rehab
Police investigating Patrick Beverley incident
J.J. Watt addresses possibly ending retirement to play for Texans
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi could surpass two major MLS records
Reporter weighs in on potential Giants quarterback controversy
Cowboys to release veteran WR
Lakers want Anthony Davis' opinion in search for next head coach
Patriots exec explains why team drafted two QBs in 2024 NFL Draft
Borussia Dortmund legend 'considering' move to MLS
NHL announces Ted Lindsay Award finalists
Mavericks' Luka Doncic lists Thunder swingman among best perimeter defenders in NBA
Cowboys reportedly meeting with recently released veteran WR
Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
Dodgers star latest victim of announcers jinx
Mike Conley discusses what makes Anthony Edwards so special
J.J. Watt and others destroy Austin Rivers over NBA/NFL take
Celtics dominate short-handed Cavaliers in blowout Game 1 win
Rangers special teams, goaltending help them take control against Hurricanes

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.