Chicago Bulls Apply For Injury Exception for Lonzo Ball: Report

• The Chicago Bulls have applied for a Disabled Player Exception for Lonzo Ball, who is expected to miss the entire 2023/24 season
• Ball has not played an NBA game since January 2022
• The 2017 No. 2 overall pick also missed all of the 2022/23 season

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly applied for a disabled player exception after Lonzo Ball was ruled out of the rest of the 2023/24 season with an injury.

Ball missed the entire 2022/23 season with a lingering knee injury which is threatening to end his playing career. He has not played since January 2022. Ball underwent cartilage transplant surgery in March.

According to Shams Charania, the six-time NBA champions have applied for a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) worth $10.2 million, about half of Ball's salary.

If the NBA grants them, it will allow the Bulls to replace a player ruled out for the season. The franchise will be allowed to trade or claim a player in the final year of their deal or sign a free agent to a one-year deal.

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Still, adding a player will affect the team's salary cap. The Bulls are currently $9 million below the luxury tax, per Bobby Marks.

What is NBA's DPE?

The disabled player exception allows a team to replace a player who will be out for the remainder of the season through injury. Teams must apply to the NBA for a DPE.

After they've applied, it is up to the NBA-designated doctor or the league's fitness-to-play panel to determine the severity of the injury. If they decide the injured player is likely to miss the entire season, the DPE is granted, per Sportrac.

Teams have until January 15 of each season to apply for a DPE.

Bulls' fears over Ball's career

Sports Brief earlier reported on reports that Ball might never play again.

He last played an NBA game on January 14, 2022, before he was diagnosed with a small meniscus tear and bone bruise. In the previous season (2021/22), he played only 35 games for the Bulls, averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game.

In 252 career games with the Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Bulls, Ball has averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.