Lonzo

Ball

Injuries have limited Lonzo in recent seasons, but he’s still an impactful player when he’s on the floor. Now, he’ll be a strong reserve playmaking option behind Darius Garland. Ball’s addition likely means that Ty Jerome will sign elsewhere in free agency after being one of the best bench options in the league last season. Ball’s departure should also open up minutes for Ayo Dosunmu off the bench as the primary reserve in the backcourt. Reports from April indicated that Ball should be ready to go for training camp after missing the final two months of last season with a wrist injury.

Ball said he is excited for his “first normal offseason in awhile.” He has been plagued by numerous injuries but was able to play 35 games during the 2024-25 season after not playing at all during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Ball was sidelined for all of March and April, but since he won’t require any procedure during the offseason, he should be ready to go for training camp.

“Red Velvet” provided limited production in Wednesday’s defeat, which included a 1-of-4 night from beyond the arc. The three “stocks” were solid, but Chicago needed more from Huerter on a night when the team scored a season-low 90 points. After being traded to the Bulls in early February, Huerter was a 10th-round player in nine-cat formats, spending considerable time in the starting lineup. However, those starts were made possible by injuries to Lonzo Ball and Tre Jones. Huerter has one season remaining on his contract and should be in the rotation. However, a healthy Ball likely pushes him to the bench, especially if the Bulls re-sign Josh Giddey.

Chicago would have to win two play-in tournament games to reach the postseason, beginning with Wednesday’s matchup with the Heat. Ball has not appeared in a game since February 28, and the Bulls have been without two rotation point guards, Tre Jones being the other, since March 20. Kevin Huerter has been the third starter on the perimeter for the Bulls, with Josh Giddey and Coby White being the top playmakers. Given the time Ball has missed, he’s unlikely to play significant minutes if Chicago can advance and face Cleveland in the first round.

Ball hasn’t played since February and is set to miss Chicago’s Wednesday play-in game. Josh Giddey and Coby White will have to continue carrying the Bulls’ backcourt rotation.

Giddey missed three of the Bulls’ final four regular-season games but is set to return for the play-in game on Wednesday. Giddey logged 40 minutes in his last game and could have a similar workload against Miami with Lonzo Ball and Tre Jones banged up.

Sidelined since February, Ball will resume basketball activities on Monday. However, he’s unlikely to be available for Wednesday’s play-in tournament matchup with the Heat. If Chicago can advance, they will play the Atlanta/Orlando loser on Friday for the eighth seed in the East. Kevin Huerter has started in Ball’s absence and should continue to do so.

Ball will miss Sunday’s regular season finale and has not appeared in a game since February. The question is whether or not he’ll be available for Chicago’s play-in tournament matchup with Miami. Kevin Huerter will remain the starter, and the change has raised Red Velvet’s fantasy ceiling. However, since the Bulls are locked into the nine-seed, he may not play starters’ minutes on Sunday.

Ball hasn’t played since February, so his absence for the regular season finale doesn’t come as a surprise. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to return for the Play-In Tournament, so we may not see Ball play against until the 2025-26 season.

Ball still is not in a position where he can be effective with his sprained wrist, so he will not be available on Friday. As for Smith, the probable tag suggests he will ultimately play after not playing in Wednesday’s win over Miami. If not, Zach Collins would be Nikola Vucevic’s lone backup. Smith played 32 minutes as Vooch’s replacement in the starting lineup on Tuesday.