Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will undergo a fourth career left knee surgery, raising NBA retirement fears with the player set to miss most of the 2023/24 season.
The 25-year-old hasn't played since January 2022 and was only signed a year prior on a four-year deal worth $85million as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans. Before his injury, Ball averaged 13 points for the team, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and the Bulls allowed 8.6 points fewer than when he was out.
Ball underwent surgery on the knee to repair a torn meniscus last year. In September, after enduring a painful summer attempting to rehab the knee, he underwent an arthroscopic debridement aimed at treating a nerve problem and clearing debris.
