Bulls vice president Arturas Karnišovas met with reporters following Thursday night’s NBA draft and was asked about the status of point guard Lonzo Ball, who has continued to battle a balky knee.
“Going into the offseason, our expectation is that he’s not coming back next season,” Karnišovas said. “He’s going to continue on his recovery. If he comes back, it would be great. But we’re just going to treat this offseason and get ready for the season that he’s not going to be back.”
The 25-year-old Ball underwent cartilage transplant surgery on his left knee in March, his third surgery on his knee since Jan. 14, 2022. Ball missed all of this season and now could miss all of next season due to continued issues in his knee.
This most recent surgery is thought to potentially give him the best chance to resume his NBA career.
Ball’s first surgery came in Feb. 2022 for a torn meniscus, but he continued to deal with lingering pain and discomfort and has now had two additional surgeries to ease the pain. He recently began walking without crutches as he begins his recovery.
“I know eventually we’re going to see him on a basketball court, but I do not think he’s going to be back next year,” Karnišovas added.
Ball, who signed a four-year, $80 million extension with Chicago in the summer of 2021, has averaged 11.9 points, 6.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds over his career with the Lakers, Pelicans and Bulls.
