The Chicago Bulls are unsure if Lonzo Ball will ever play for them again, according to NBA insider Jamal Collier of ESPN. Ball, who missed all of last season, won’t play this season either after undergoing a cartilage transplant in his left knee in March.
Ball has undergone three surgeries on his left knee. The former Los Angeles Lakers guard hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022.
“After the other surgeries, this one has definitely gone the best as far as [the] recovery process,” Ball told Collier. “The last two rehab processes I had, I was getting better and then it just hit a standstill and it started going down. And I haven’t hit that yet.”
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 25-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Bulls in 2021-22 in 35 games while shooting 42.3% from the field, 42.3% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls Updates
“Honestly, being out for as long as I’ve been out and all the injuries I have to deal with I think you just have to be positive,” Ball said. “First and foremost. If you lose your mind, you’re going to lose the battle. So it always starts with being positive and hoping for the best.”
Ball has career NBA averages of 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists with the Lakers, Pelicans and Bulls. Some people don’t believe Ball will play again, but the UCLA product thinks he will prove his naysayers wrong.
“It’s motivation for me because there’s been people that have been counted out,” Ball said. “For me, it’s about getting back and doing what I want to do and love to do, which is play basketball.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Bulls missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2022. The team signed Jevon Carter and re-signed Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu this offseason. All three players will compete for the Bulls’ starting point guard spot in camp.
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