Chicago Bulls ‘don’t think Lonzo Ball will EVER play again’

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has been dealing with well-documented knee issues over the course of the last two seasons and the team is beginning to doubt if he will be able to recover, according to Dan Bernstein of WSCR. 

‘The Chicago Bulls privately don’t think that it’s likely Lonzo Ball will ever play again,’ Bernstein said on the Organizations Win Championships Podcast.

Several months ago, Ball underwent his third knee surgery in 14 months and it was reported that he may be forced to miss the entire 2023-2024 season as a result.

Shortly before news of the third operation came out, Ball had told reporters that he was still unable to run or jump without pain.

An eventual return for Ball would make him the first player in league history to return from a knee cartilage replacement. 

The Chicago Bulls ‘don’t think Lonzo Ball will ever play again’ due to his on-going knee issues 

Ball has been out of action since January 14th, 2022 due to injury problems with his knee

Ball is currently in the second year of a four-year, $80million deal he signed with the Bulls in free agency ahead of the 2021-22 season. 

As it stands, he is due to earn $20,465,117 next season, and will then have a player option for his final year in which he can accept $21,395,348, or opt to terminate his contract and enter free agency – or retire. 

Back in March, Ball addressed his latest surgery with a statement saying: ‘My main focus has been on returning to the court and getting to a place where I can rejoin my teammates. 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.’

Ball has not appeared in an NBA game since January 14th, 2022, and initially underwent surgery on Jan. 20, 2022, after being diagnosed with a small meniscus tear and bone bruise. 

He was expected to be out for only a six-to-eight-week timeline but ended up missing the remaining 47 regular-season and playoff games of the 2021-22 season. 

Seven weeks later, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said Ball was still experiencing discomfort in his knee because of the bone bruise. 

Chicago acquired veteran guard Patrick Beverley to help their postseason hopes last season

Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White have been primary replacements at point guards for Ball

In September Ball underwent his second knee operation of the calendar year which was said to be arthroscopic debridement of his left knee. 

He was expected to miss only the start of the season, but that timeline for recovery has not gone as planned and he failed to make an appearance for the entire campaign.

During his first season after moving from New Orleans to Chicago, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 assists and 5.4 rebounds and shooting 42% on 3-pointers.

He played a significant role on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor helping lead the Bulls to a 27-13 record before the injury.