Chicago Bulls’ Lonzo Ball may never play basketball again due to an injury, according to recent reports. Dan Bernstein from the radio station 670 The Score said the team is considering the situation in private.
“The other thing I heard is even though publicly there has been an expression of guarded optimism regarding a future for Lonzo Ball,” Bernstein said in an episode of the Organizations Win Championships podcast and as reported by Sports Illustrated. “And there’s a reason why for you’re pursuant to all kinds of union issues, why they haven’t asked for the salary exemption yet because they don’t want to send the message publicly that they’re done with him. They don’t think it’s likely that he ever plays again.”
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In March, the Chicago Bulls announced Ball underwent surgery on his left knee. Reporters at ESPN and The Athletic further reported that the cartilage transplant was the player’s third surgery.
“My main focus has been on returning to the court and getting to a place where I can rejoin my teammates,” Ball said in a press release at the time. “This has been a frustrating process, but I’m confident these next steps are the best path forward. The support of my family, friends, fans and medical staff throughout my recovery is what keeps me moving forward. I can’t wait to get back to what I love doing most – playing basketball.”
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will undergo a third surgery on his left knee that is expected to cost him most, if not all, of the 2023-24 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
The sides are optimistic of the procedure reviving Ball's career. 🙏🏽
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2023
Ball hasn’t played since January 14, 2022. His last game revealed a small tear in his meniscus, according to Sports Illustrated. The 25-year-old player was ruled out for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season because of the injury.
“That was our speculation when we heard about experimental cartilage replacement surgery,” Bernstein added. “It is incredibly rare and is much more likely being done just for his quality of life off of the basketball court.”
Ball was selected by the Lakers as No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA draft. In 2021, he joined the Chicago Bulls. He has averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 252 career games with the LA Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and the Chicago Bulls, according to the news outlet.
