The Chicago Bulls have recently exceeded expectations, winning four of their last five contests. The second-place Houston Rockets were the only team to defeat the Bulls over this stretch, and it was by three points on the road. The narrow defeat came against a relatively healthy Rockets team (missing Amen Thompson). However, Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball were absent from Chicago’s lineup.
The former has proved to be indispensable for the Bulls. Giddey is averaging 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists for the season, but his post-All-Star break numbers have been eye-opening. The 22-year-old has averaged 23.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 8.4 assists since the midseason festivities.
Giddey’s counterpart, Ball, hasn’t been as productive. Nonetheless, his impact has been undeniable. He ranks first on the Bulls in net rating at 5.5. Ball’s on/off splits have been even more impressive. The Bulls are 4.1 points per 100 possessions better offensively and 8.2 points better defensively with Ball on the floor. He ranks in the 96th percentile of efficiency differential at plus-12.3.
Lonzo Ball’s return to the floor has been a hit
Ball is a difference-maker when he’s on the floor. Unfortunately, the latter part of that sentiment should be highlighted. He’s often not on the floor. It’s become the norm for Ball. He missed two entire seasons due to injury, and there was a belief he’d never return to the NBA.
Miraculously, Ball did return. He even underwent a rare meniscus transplant to alleviate the pain he continuously dealt with in his left knee. Ball returned to action on October 23, 1,013 days since his last appearance. He suited up for Chicago’s first three of four games before missing the next 15 contests with a right wrist sprain.
Ball returned to the lineup in late November, routinely suiting up over the next few months. He missed a couple of games for rest, others due to an illness, and several more with minor injuries. However, he’s once again on the shelf for an extended period of time, with an anticipated return date set for the end of March.
Ball has suited up for 35 of a possible 67 games. There’s potential for Ball to only appear in 40 or so games this season. The maximum number of games he could realistically appear in is 44, considering Chicago’s current road trip and Ball’s propensity to sit out back-to-backs.
The Bulls’ decision to extend Ball is questionable
Even with Ball’s continuous battle with injuries, the Bulls decided to extend the veteran floor general for two more seasons and $20 million. The contract is extremely team-friendly—only $10 million guaranteed, as the second year of the pact is a team option. Still, the risk is obvious. It’s unknown if Ball is even capable of appearing in two-thirds of Chicago’s contests.
The team option in the second season is this contract’s saving grace. Two fully guaranteed seasons without an out would have been imprudent. Ball must demonstrate he’s somewhat reliable, regardless of his impact level, before earning a multi-year deal.
Despite the team option attached, $10 million sans incentives is steep. Ball’s resilience, basketball IQ, and leadership deem him a worthy investment. Nonetheless, the salary cap is unrelenting. $1 million makes a difference as most teams attempt to toe the line between the tax level, the first-apron, and the second-apron. The Bulls are already on the books for $185 million next season, which is $31 million over the projected salary cap.
Ball, in theory, is a wise investment. His comeback is awe-inspiring, and he’s been the most impactful Bull this season. Yet here we are. Injuries are the worst part of the game but must be accounted for. Instead of re-upping a player for $10 million, averaging 7.6 points and shooting 36.6 percent from the floor, a one-year, incentive-laden “prove-it” deal would have been the best option.
