With Lonzo Ball not expected to play next season, Chicago Bulls apply for disabled player exception

This can grant the Bulls some financial flexibility.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

With starting point guard Lonzo Ball not expected to play anytime soon, the Chicago Bulls have applied for a disabled player exception. The exception is worth $10.2 million, which the team could use this season to further improve its roster.

Crucial move

If the league approves this request, the Bulls can potentially use the exception to acquire any player off the waiver wire, with the caveat being that the specific player has to be either playing in the last year of his contract or on a one-year deal.

Bulls have applied to the NBA for a Disabled Player Exception for Lonzo's injury worth $10.2M, per @ShamsCharania

He is expected to miss the entire season pic.twitter.com/AXwSSrHFdH

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 2, 2023

This is a crucial move for a Bulls squad that has been historically stingy when it comes to the salary cap and luxury tax. Throughout the team’s rich history, they have paid the luxury tax once.

Waiting game

The Bulls have addressed their point guard needs with the recent signings of pitbull guard Jevon Carter and Coby White, who has developed into quite the lead guard over the last few seasons with the Bulls. As for Ball, it remains to be if and when the former UCLA star will be able to play NBA basketball, especially after undergoing three knee surgeries in the last 14 months—the last being a cartilage implant to hopefully remedy his troublesome knee.

The #Bulls were 27-13 (1st in the East) when Lonzo Ball went down with his injury in January 2022. pic.twitter.com/cLdWYJ35Bp

— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) July 3, 2023