Bulls' Eye: Another season without Lonzo Ball looms

While it wasn't breaking news, hearing it from the man himself was different. During an appearance on Trae Young's podcast, the Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball confirmed that he would miss his second straight NBA season as he recovers from his third knee surgery in less than two years.

With that in mind, here are five key stories about the Bulls from last week:

1. Lonzo Ball confirms he'll miss the entire 2023-2024 season

Talented point guard Lonzo Ball hasn't been on the floor since injuring his knee in January 2022. Three surgeries later, the former UCLA star confirmed that he will remain on the sidelines for the rest of the 2023-2024 season as he tries to rehab and restart his stalled career.

2. Torrey Craig says he'll bring "a little bit more edge" to the Chicago Bulls

Torrey Craig vowed to bring a little more toughness and edge to a Bulls squad that, at times, looked lost and dispirited last season. Craig's defensive pedigree and tenacity will be a welcome addition to the Bulls' core, which sorely lacked energy and fight at times in 2022-2023.

3. Chicago Bulls general manager Marc Eversley says Patrick Williams is in for a big year

Bulls fans who are waiting for an explosion from young forward Patrick Williams may finally get it this upcoming season, as the team's general manager Marc Eversley predicts the former Florida State star has been building up to a breakout year. With his athleticism and developing offensive arsenal, Williams should be in for a special season if he continues on his current trajectory.

4. Chicago Bulls hope to bring DeMar DeRozan back after this season

The partnership between the Bulls and veteran wingman DeMar DeRozan is down to the last season. However, the team appears to want to keep the former All-Star around long-term.

5. Limited national TV appearances speak volumes about the state of the Chicago Bulls

Those expecting to see the Bulls on national TV more than a handful of times this season will be disappointed. This says a lot about where Chicago stands in the NBA pecking order.