Lonzo Ball has not played for the Chicago Bulls the past two seasons due to a left knee that has required three surgeries in two years.
In March 2023, Ball underwent a cartilage transplant to the knee after a torn meniscus in January 2022. That operation, in which damaged cartilage is repaired with cartilage cells from the patient’s own body, is itself relatively rare.
However, Ball revealed on his podcast ‘The WAE Show’ that he had another very rare procedure performed during that surgery in 2023. He also underwent a meniscus transplant, receiving a new meniscus from a donor to replace what was initially torn in 2018.
“I tore it a few more times to the point where there wasn’t any left—basically there wasn’t much meniscus left, and bone-on-bone was rubbing,” Ball explained. “So the cartilage was gone and the bone was messed up, so I actually had to get a new meniscus from a donor. I had to get a bone allograft and also have some new cartilage put in.”
Ball, who turns 27 in October, still doesn’t know if he’ll be able to play on that left knee. Still, earlier this month he picked up his $21.4 million player option for next season.
That decision doesn’t put the Bulls in a great position. If Ball continues to try to recover from his injury but doesn’t get on the field, his contract will take up a large chunk of Chicago’s 2024-2025 salary cap as the team tries to re-sign DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams. Trading Zach LaVine and the remaining $138 million on his contract (including a $49 million player option) could become an even higher priority under those circumstances.
However, if Ball were unable to return and his knee injury ended his career, the Bulls could deduct that $21.4 million from their salary cap and luxury tax.
Lonzo Ball had the #Bulls play as the best team in the world #NBA
– Incredible IQ on display
– Elite defense
– Absolute sniper of 3
– Turned the Bulls into showtime Lakers pic.twitter.com/h9vLngHmWt— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls fans (@DieHardCBfans) June 23, 2023
Ball believes he will play this season and estimates his knee is about 70% recovered. He can run and do basic exercises without feeling the same discomfort as before.
“Good enough to play, but it can be even better, I think,” he said on the podcast. “I still have a long summer ahead of me, but I’m definitely looking forward to the future.”
He added that the plan should be ready by the start of next season.
“That’s the plan I’m following and I haven’t had any setbacks,” Ball said. “I expect to play the first match.”
