Lonzo Ball Explains Signing Bulls Contract amid Trade Rumors: 'Feels Like Family Here'

While Lonzo Ball was included in some trade speculation ahead of this year's trade deadline, he is happy to be with the Chicago Bulls and ultimately agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension.

On Wednesday, he opened up about his decision to sign the extension that will keep him with the Bulls through the 2026-27 season, assuming the club exercises its option in that second year.

"It feels like family here," Ball explained, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

The guard also highlighted how important team physician Brian Cole has been in his recovery process and the loyalty the Bulls showed during his multi-year absence because of knee injuries as driving factors in the decision.

Ball returned to the court this season for the first time since January 2022.

While the initial injury was expected to sideline him for six-to-eight weeks, he suffered multiple setbacks and underwent multiple knee surgeries. One of those surgeries was a cartilage transplant in 2023.

The UCLA product has been understandably limited at times this season and is averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 21.6 minutes in 30 games. The hope is surely that he returns to his pre-injury form when his ability to shoot from the outside and facilitate was one reason the Bulls were among the top teams in the Eastern Conference in 2021-22 before his injury.

Ball is still just 27 years old, and this extension will give him more time to fully adjust to his return to the court in a familiar setting that feels like "family" to him.

He could also help lead Chicago into the playoffs down the stretch, as the Bulls are 1.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.