It’s been over two weeks since the Chicago Bulls last won a game. Of course, the All-Star break plays a part in the elongated hiatus. Nevertheless, Chicago hasn’t won a game in quite some time and there’s a good chance the losing streak will persist even longer.

The Bulls’ five-game losing streak is currently the second-longest in the NBA, only trailing the 11th-place Philadelphia 76ers’ six-game streak. Interestingly enough, Chicago and Philadelphia will collide on February 24. There’s potential for both teams to remain winless in recent weeks leading up to the battle. The Bulls square off against the Phoenix Suns on February 22, while the 76ers host the Brooklyn Nets that same day.

Instead of focusing on the negatives and the future, which is also gloomy—but that’s beside the point—we’ll praise a recent, underrated move that yielded early returns for the Bulls. Just before the All-Star break, Chicago reached a team-friendly, two-year, $20 million pact with Lonzo Ball. The deal’s second year is a team option, offering Chicago and Ball future flexibility.

Since signing the pact, Balls has only appeared in one contest. While the All-Star break played a part in the lack of appearances, Ball did miss four games because of injury management and a subsequent illness.

Chicago’s decision to re-sign Ball is brilliant in the present and the future

In his first appearance since signing the deal, Ball played well. Billy Donovan started Ball for the ninth consecutive contest. He dropped 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, and added four assists. The 6-foot-6 guard only turned the ball over once in 30 minutes of action. To be exact, Ball’s 29 minutes and 41 seconds were a season-high.

The 27-year-old only converted 4-of-13 field goal attempts. However, nine of those 13 attempts were from beyond the arc. He drilled three of nine triples against the New York Knicks. Moreover, Ball’s five free throws were perhaps the most encouraging. The former second-overall pick had yet to attempt more than four free throws in a contest this season. As the season has progressed, so has Ball’s confidence and aggression. He’s hunting for shots, attacking the rim, and creating in the halfcourt and transition.

While Ball’s raw numbers have steadily increased throughout the season, his awareness and defense were immediately noticeable. Ball is a next-level passer with extraordinary anticipation. He typically doesn’t force the action and plays with a unique sped-up level of patience. There are times when Ball should shoot or attack the basket more often than he does. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to trot out lower-usage players alongside score-first guards such as Coby White.

Ball’s awareness doesn’t only pop on offense; it’s even more noticeable on the defensive end. The combo guard leads the Bulls in steals and deflections per game. His defensive rating is by far and away the best on the team. Chicago allows 8.4 points less per 100 possessions whenever Ball is on the hardwood—that ranks in the 96th percentile. He’s both a terrific team and individual defender.

$10 million per season is a steal for such an impactful player. Ball’s contract value will be among the best in the association if he can increase his shooting splits. Of course, injury concerns remain prevalent. He’s appeared in only 31 contests of a possible 56 this season. This comes after missing two consecutive seasons due to various knee issues and reconstructive surgery to repair his meniscus.

All in all, one year and $10 million with a potential for $10 million more is a wise investment. At 27-years-old, Ball is entering his prime. He’s only appeared in a grand total of 283 games. Furthermore, his playstyle isn’t reliant on his athleticism. Lonzo’s intelligence and spot-up shooting abilities will aid in gracefully aging his game. For what it’s worth, if Ball’s game begins to crater or the Bulls feel the need to prematurely move on, there’s an out, making his contract one of the better deals in the NBA.