The biggest news for Bulls fans on NBA Draft night had nothing to do with the players they selected.
Moments after the final picks had been made on Thursday night, Chicago vice president Arturas Karnisovas addressed the media about Lonzo Ball's future with the team.
"Our expectation is that he's not coming back next season," Karnisovas told reporters. "He's going to continue 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."
Arturas Karnisovas on Lonzo Ball’s injury and not returning next season: pic.twitter.com/1MSL4QnrLC
— Alyssa Bergamini (@AlyssaBergamini) June 23, 2023
Yikes.
Aside from the pessimistic outlook on Ball's recovery, here's everything we know including a full timeline around his latest setback.
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Lonzo Ball injury timeline
Ball has been struggling with major health issues for the last year and a half. He has undergone three surgical procedures on his left knee in the past 17 months: the first in February 2022, the second in September 2022 and the third in March 2023. The last time he appeared in an NBA game was on Jan. 14, 2022.
The initial surgery in February of last year was intended to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. At the time, he was given a six-to-eight week timeline to return. However, he ultimately missed the rest of the season. After dealing with discomfort throughout the offseason, he underwent the second surgery in the fall — but the pain remained. He went on to miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
The most recent surgery was the most serious, as he underwent a cartilage transplant procedure in March. No professional athlete has ever resumed playing after undergoing that type of procedure. But he said he believed it would give him the best possible chance of a return to the court
"My main focus has been on returning to the court and getting to a place where I can rejoin my teammates," Ball said. "This has been a frustrating process, but I'm confident these next steps are the best path forward. The support of my family, friends, fans and medical staff throughout my recovery is what keeps me moving forward. I can't wait to get back to what I love doing most -- playing basketball."
MORE: Lonzo Ball injury timeline, updates on possible return date
If Karnisovas is right about him being unable to return next year, it will mark almost three years without any competitive action for Ball.
The extremely long absence and the severity of his injury have naturally sparked concerns over whether he'll ever be able to play again. However, Karnisovas remains hopeful that he'll be able to return one day.
"I hope eventually we're going to see him on a basketball court," Karnisovas said. "But I do not think he's going to be back next year."
Lonzo Ball contract details
Ball is entering the third year of a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls. He has played a total of five seasons in the NBA, including two with the Lakers and two with the Pelicans.
In his brief time on the floor for Chicago, he played some of the best basketball of his career. In 35 games for the Bulls, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while posting career-highs in field goal percentage (42.3) and three-point percentage (42.3).
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The Bulls are facing a pivotal season in 2023-24, with star forward DeMar DeRozan entering the final year of his three-year, $81.9 million contract. Shooting guard Zach LaVine is entering the second season of a massive five-year, $215.2 million deal. Chicago posted a 40-42 record in their latest campaign, missing out on the playoffs after falling to the Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
