Chicago Bulls Believe Lonzo Ball’s Career May be Over Due to Continued Knee Issues
The news doesn’t look too promising for Chicago Bulls player, Lonzo Ball.
On a recent episode of Organizations Win Championships, sports reporter, Dan Bernstein of 670 The Score stated that the Bulls are doubtful that the upcoming surgery for Ball will heal enough for him to continue his professional career. The thoughts are being made privately about the knee issues he has suffered in recent years.
Earlier this year in March, the NBA team, announced that Ball, who has been with the team since 2021, will undergo a cartilage transplant on his left knee. He was ruled out for the rest of the 2022-23 season and was predicted to may miss most of next season.
This is the third time Ball will have surgery on his knee since joining the Bulls.
Bernstein said on the podcast that the Bulls are preparing for the loss of Ball and his basketball skills.
“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. “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.”
Ball has already had two knee surgeries, including last September, since he played in his last NBA game back in January 2022. He has yet to partake in any basketball-related activities without experiencing discomfort.
In 2017, Ball was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. 2 overall draft pick in the NBA Draft. He was then traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, where he played for two years before a sign-and-trade deal sent him to his current team, the Chicago Bulls. He was averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 35 games until his injury.
Lonzo is the oldest of the Ball brothers, who all play professional basketball. LiAngelo is currently in the NBA G League and the youngest, LaMelo, plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
