Lonzo Ball has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He has missed significant time due to a variety of injuries, including a torn meniscus, a bone bruise, and a knee sprain.
In January of 2022, Ball underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was expected to miss six to eight weeks, but he ultimately missed the rest of the 2021-22 season.
In March of 2023, Ball underwent a second surgery on his left knee. This time, he had a cartilage transplant. He is still recovering from this surgery and there is no timetable for his return.
The Chicago Bulls have privately expressed doubts that Ball will ever play again. According to a report by Dan Bernstein, the Bulls believe it is "not likely" that Ball will ever play again.
Ball's injury history is a major concern for the Bulls. The team is in the midst of a competitive window and they need Ball to be healthy in order to contend for a championship.
If Ball is unable to return to the court, it would be a major blow to the Bulls. He is a key part of their offense and defense.
The Bulls have a number of options if Ball is unable to return. They could sign a free agent point guard or trade for one. They could also move Coby White to the starting lineup and play Ayo Dosunmu off the bench.
The Bulls are hoping for the best for Ball, but they are also preparing for the possibility that he will never play again.
If Ball is unable to return, it would be a sad ending to his career. He is a talented player who has had a lot of misfortune with injuries.
The Bulls are hoping that Ball can overcome his injuries and return to the court. He is a valuable player and the team would be much better with him in the lineup.