Injury Update Given On Bulls' Guard Lonzo Ball
Last playing in an NBA game on January 14, 2022, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has not played at all during the 2022-23 season and he may wind up needing a third surgical procedure done on his injured right knee.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is a growing possibility that Ball will need a third surgical procedure on his right knee, which would likely require another six months of recovery and rehabilitation.
On February 21, the Bulls announced that Ball would miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season, with Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas stating: "The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season."
Originally undergoing a procedure in 2022 to address a meniscus injury in his right knee, Lonzo Ball was also dealing with a bone bruise. During his initial rehabilitation process, Ball was still experiencing pain and discomfort, which resulted in a second surgery in September 2022.
Ball has made progress since then, but is still experiencing pain when running and jumping.
Still having two years left on his current contract with the Bulls worth upwards of $40 million, Lonzo Ball's future remains a massive question mark.
The idea of the Bulls petitioning to the league that this is a "career-ending injury" for Ball is definitely a possibility, but as ESPN's Bobby Marks notes, the Bulls are still responsible for his full salary and the team would gain no financial advantages in regards to the cap this upcoming offseason in doing so.
Should Ball undergo a third surgery sometime this month, a potential six-month recovery would undoubtedly result in the 25-year-old guard missing the start of the 2023-24 season.
Without Lonzo Ball this season, the Bulls have gone 30-36 and they currently find themselves outside of the Play-In Tournament picture in the Eastern Conference.
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