Lonzo Ball Signs Two-Year Extension with Bulls, Emphasizes Loyalty and Family

Chicago, IL — Lonzo Ball, the Chicago Bulls point guard, has officially signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the team, choosing loyalty over potential free agency. Ball, who has faced significant health challenges, including a lengthy recovery from knee surgery, expressed his desire to remain with the Bulls during negotiations last week.

“Just the overall picture,” Ball said in an interview following the contract announcement. “The doctor being out here, so not having to deal with the rehab process like I have the last couple of years, the relationship I have with the front office, the coaching staff, the young guys here, it all made sense for me to stay.”

This decision marks a significant moment for both Ball and the Bulls, as he could have sought a larger contract elsewhere given his previous salary of $21.4 million for the current season. Instead, he opted for a hometown discount due to his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery. “To be honest, I just wanted to stay here,” Ball stated, emphasizing his commitment to the team.

The Bulls stood by Ball during a challenging period of his career, which included more than two seasons sidelined by injury. “They stayed with me for probably the toughest journey in my life so far,” he reflected. “So I was just trying to get back, man, and be loyal to who was loyal to me.”

When Ball signed with the Bulls in the 2021 offseason, he joined a group of promising talents, including DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, in hopes of making a deep playoff run. However, injuries derailed those ambitions, and the landscape of the team has changed significantly, with several key players now gone. Despite this, Ball remains optimistic about his role moving forward.

“For sure, and I think we’ve got some young guys here that need some leadership,” Ball said. He expressed readiness to embrace a mentorship role, aiming to guide the younger players. “Just be that guy they can look to, be that voice in the locker room. Just be a shoulder people can lean on and calm things down when I’m on the court.”

In an additional move, the Bulls recently signed guard Jahmir Young to a two-way contract and waived center Adama Sanogo. Young has showcased his talent, participating in 30 games for the Nuggets’ G League affiliate, further emphasizing the Bulls’ commitment to building a capable roster.