How Lonzo Ball’s Surgery Affects Chicago Bulls Ahead Of 2022 NBA Trade Deadline

Alex Caruso triumphantly returned to the Chicago Bulls in a much-needed 117-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, snapping a four-game losing streak in the process. The good vibes were short-lived, though, with Thursday bringing news that Bulls guard Lonzo Ball suffered a small tear in his left meniscus.

While reporting suggested Ball could try to play through the injury depending on his response to treatment, it was ultimately decided that he would go under the knife. The Bulls point guard will now miss six to eight weeks after knee surgery, dealing a banged-up team another tough blow.

This is a bummer for Ball, who has fit in seamlessly in Chicago after coming over from the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason. Ball is one of the Bulls’ best passers, 3-point shooters and perimeter defenders. His ability to get the team out in transition is dangerous and makes them one of the more fun teams in the NBA.

It doesn’t help that Zach LaVine is also currently sidelined with a knee injury, though the All-Star doesn’t have structural damage and should be back in the near future. However, LaVine won’t travel on the Bulls’ upcoming three-game road trip, so Chicago will be without both members of its starting backcourt for a while longer.

The good news is Alex Caruso is back after missing a month, which will help mitigate Ball’s absence. There’s also the fact that Coby White and rookie Ayo Dosunmu are playing excellent basketball. With Ball out, these two young guards will continue to get a chance to shine, which should only aid their development.

Dosunmu especially has been a revelation given how quickly he has become an impact player in his rookie season after falling to No. 38 in the 2021 NBA Draft. In his last three games as a starter, the rookie from Chicago posted averages of 18.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 23-of-30 from the field and 7-of-10 from 3-point range. Those shooting numbers are outliers, but if he keeps getting more comfortable in these extended minutes, that will only down the road.

White has also been terrific lately, which has been a welcome sign after he struggled so much to start the season coming off shoulder surgery and then dealing with Covid-19. Not only is he sniping from long distance, but he’s showing a better knack for finishing inside and is at least battling on defense.

White’s resurgence and Ball’s injury are notable as the Feb. 10 trade deadline approaches. Once viewed as easy trade bait not long ago, White is making a strong argument to stick around, even as he gets set to become extension eligible in the offseason.

Ball being out only makes White’s 3-point shooting more important. While the Bulls are first in the league in 3-point percentage, they’re last in attempts. Chicago could still try to use White as a way to help another part of the roster, but his shooting would be missed. NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson recently reported, even before the Ball injury, that the Bulls were more inclined to keep White. That notion is likely even more reinforced now.

Chicago has the recovering Patrick Williams as another trade chip, so a significant trade could still be made without dealing White. Whether the Bulls actually want to pull the trigger on a Williams trade remains to be seen. Ball being out could impact the decision-making process there if Chicago takes a dive in the standings, but if this team stays afloat and is looking like a contender come Feb. 10, perhaps an all-in move is made. Ball will be back this season and would only add more firepower when he returns to the lineup.

So, while this Ball surgery is a setback for the player and the team, there are silver linings here. With the schedule softening up a bit soon after this rough stretch, the Bulls will try to go on another run, even without one of their prize offseason acquisitions.