Chicago Bulls not expecting Lonzo Ball to play next season

• Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball suffered a drastic knee injury in January 2022
• Ball is yet to appear in any match for the Bulls since his last on January 14 2022
• The team vice president Arturas Karnisovas has said they are not expecting him to make a return next season

Chicago Bulls team vice president, Arturas Karnisovas, stated that they expect guard Lonzo Ball to miss the upcoming NBA season due to his ongoing recovery from knee surgery. Ball, who underwent cartilage transplant surgery in March, has been dealing with knee issues since January 2022.

Karnisovas expressed that while it would be great if Ball can return next season, their focus is on preparing for the possibility of his absence. The recent surgery provided hope for Ball’s future NBA career, but his progress has been slow since the initial injury.

The guard had two previous surgeries, one in February 2022 to repair a torn meniscus and another in September of the same year. Unfortunately, the discomfort persisted, preventing him from returning to the court.

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has not played a single match since January 2022 due to a knee injury and the team is not expecting him to play next season. | PHOTO: NBA |

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ball’s return, Karnisovas mentioned that he is showing improvement and has started walking without crutches. The team has not considered seeking salary relief for Ball’s contract and remains hopeful about his future playing prospects.

During the 2021-22 season, Ball made a significant impact for the Bulls, complementing teammates Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. In 35 games, he averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while achieving career-best shooting percentages.

The Bulls, who initially didn’t have a draft pick, acquired Tennessee forward Julian Phillips in the second round with the 34th overall selection. Additionally, Karnisovas expressed plans to extend qualifying offers to young point guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. The team also signed undrafted UConn centre Adama Sanogo to a two-way contract.

In summary, the Bulls are preparing for Lonzo Ball’s absence in the upcoming season as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. While his progress has been slow, the team remains hopeful for his return in the future. The Bulls made moves during the draft and have plans to extend offers to other players on their roster.