NBA Grants Chicago Bulls Disabled Player Exception for Lonzo Ball’s Injury
The NBA has recently granted the Chicago Bulls the disabled player exception for Lonzo Ball, who is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season due to rehabbing his right knee. This exception allows the Bulls to utilize $10.2 million in free agency and trade opportunities. The team applied for this exception on July 2, and it has now been approved by the league.
Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations, Artūras Karnišovas, hinted at the possibility of applying for the disabled player exception on draft night. While he ruled out waiving and stretching Ball’s contract, he left the door open for this alternative route. Now, with the exception in hand, the Bulls have a valuable tool to sign a player during this offseason.
This move is a no-brainer for the Bulls, as they had already announced on draft night that Ball would be sidelined for the entire upcoming season. With their salary cap situation already tight, the disabled player exception provides them with some flexibility to address their roster needs. The Bulls have already made moves to strengthen their backcourt and perimeter shooting by re-signing Coby White to a three-year, $33 million contract and Jevon Carter to a three-year, $20 million deal during the opening day of free agency.
Now, with the disabled player exception, the Bulls are likely to focus on adding interior size or additional shooting to their roster. While they have a solid center tandem in Nikola Vučević and Andre Drummond, they lack depth behind their starting power forward, Patrick Williams. This exception gives them an opportunity to bolster their frontcourt and provide support for their key players.
Lonzo Ball’s injury history has been a concern for the Bulls. He played his last game in the 2021-22 season and has since undergone three knee surgeries. The team is taking a cautious approach to his recovery, ensuring that he has ample time to rehabilitate and regain his strength before returning to the court. The disabled player exception acknowledges the impact of his absence and allows the Bulls to make necessary adjustments to their roster.
This news comes as a relief for Bulls fans, who were eager to see their team make moves in the offseason despite their salary cap limitations. The disabled player exception provides them with a glimmer of hope, as they can now pursue players who can contribute immediately and help fill the void left by Ball’s absence.
In conclusion, the NBA granting the Chicago Bulls the disabled player exception for Lonzo Ball’s injury is a significant development for the team. It gives them the financial flexibility to make moves in free agency and trades, allowing them to address their roster needs. With Ball expected to miss the entire upcoming season, the Bulls can now focus on adding depth and talent to their frontcourt or bolstering their shooting. This exception provides a much-needed opportunity for the Bulls to strengthen their roster and compete at a high level in the upcoming season.