Lonzo Ball, the talented point guard for the Chicago Bulls, has made a significant decision regarding his future. Despite battling knee injuries for the past 2.5 seasons, Ball has opted to pick up his $21.4 million player option for the 2024-2025 NBA season, ensuring that he remains part of the Bulls roster. According to Adrian Wojnarowski [@wojespn]. The decision comes as a surprise to some, considering Ball has battled chronic knee issues that have sidelined him for the past two and a half seasons.
As expected, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has picked up the $21.4 million option on his contract for 2024-2025, sources tell ESPN. Ball has missed the last 2.5 seasons with a knee injury. He signed an original four-year, $80M free agent deal in 2021. pic.twitter.com/KJt3cx2DNs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 4, 2024
Wojnarowski reports that Lonzo Ball will exercise his $21.4 million player option for the 2024-2025 season. This decision secures a significant salary for Ball but also presents a significant risk for the Chicago Bulls. Ball hasn’t played a single NBA game since January 2022 due to a series of knee surgeries, including a cartilage transplant in March 2023.
Lonzo Ball: The Injury Struggles
Lonzo Ball’s journey with the Bulls has been marked by adversity. Since joining the team in 2021 on an original four-year, $80 million free agent deal, he has faced persistent left knee problems. His last game with the Bulls was on January 14, 2022, when he was performing well, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Unfortunately, his knee issues forced him to the sidelines, and he hasn’t played since.
The initial expectation was that Lonzo Ball would be out for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. However, the pain persisted, and subsequent procedures became necessary. In September 2022, he underwent arthroscopic debridement to address consistent discomfort during basketball activities. Despite these efforts, Ball’s knee troubles persisted into the 2022-23 season, leading to the decision that he would not return to play. A third surgery, involving a cartilage transplant, kept him off the court for the entire 2023-24 season.
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