Bulls and Lonzo Ball Agree to New $20 Million Deal, Ending Trade Rumors

The NBA Trade Deadline is nowhere near being wrapped up, and the league is experiencing some of the biggest action in recent memory. Luka Doncic has landed with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jimmy Butler has landed with the Golden State Warriors, and Lonzo Ball has received his fate.

Read more: Warriors Acquiring Jimmy Butler in Blockbuster Trade With Heat

After multiple teams were attempting to trade for the Chicago star, he will be staying put.

Ball will remain with the Bulls on a new two-year, $20 million trade.

Ball remaining with the Bulls is the best-case scenario, as he can continue his ascent back to being the star he once was. The former Lakers and Pelicans point guard has had a long way back to being on the court.

During the 2021-22 season, Ball suffered a meniscus tear in his knee, resulting in needing surgery. While the recovery was set at six to eight weeks, Ball would be ruled out for the rest of the season during a setback in rehabilitation.

Things only got worse for Ball, as he was ruled out of the 2022-23 season, after undergoing arthroscopic debridement. This procedure was meant to extract any loose material in the knee.

Following the procedure, Ball experienced more discomfort in the rehabilitation process and was ruled out for the entire season. He would undergo a cartilage transplant in his left knee and later revealed he received a meniscus transplant.

Ball would miss the entire 2023-24 season as well but finally began to heal. He started full-contact five-on-five scrimmages in July 2024, in anticipation he would be ready to play in the 2024-25 season.

Ball would make his first start on January 12, 2025, after missing nearly three years. He scored 15 points in his return.

Since his return, Ball is averaging 7.2 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists per game.

The Bulls clearly see the upside for Ball remaining on the team and have awarded him a new two-year deal. He has made a successful return, and it looks as though his injury concerns are behind him.

Chicago is currently 22-29 on the season, and 10th in the Eastern Conference. Though they are not necessarily going to be challenging the conference for a playoff spot or a deep playoff run, they could start to rebuild in a bigger way with Ball on the team.

More NBA:

Jimmy Butler Reacts to Blockbuster Trade That Sent Him to Warriors

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