Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball is facing another injury setback, and it could lead to an early retirement from the NBA. According to ESPN, Paul is set to have his third knee surgery in 14 months, and concerns are at an all-time high about how this will affect him in the long run. The ball has not been played for a minute since January 2022, and it has already been ruled out for the remainder of this season.
But the upcoming surgery could also eliminate him for the duration of the 2023/24 campaign, as he continues to develop problems with his left knee. The 25-year-old has already had two surgeries on his knee, and he believes his third procedure could truly be the make or break of his NBA career.
It’s been so long since he took Paul to court that some even forgot he signed to the Bulls and he’s only two years into his four-year contract. Paul signed a four-year, $80 million contract in 2021, and things are starting out very promisingly.
But he’s been in the treatment room since January 2022, and may not return until the final year of his contract with the Bulls. Even if he returns the ball aggressively, they’ll be faced with a gamble on whether to re-sign him due to his atrocious injury record.
Ball was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, and was signed by his hometown team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic Johnson even made him the new face of the Lakers franchise, but his knee problems soon started in 2018.
In January 2018, Paul sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee against the Dallas Mavericks, and in fact never fully recovered. Ball was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 as the Lakers agreed to a massive deal to sign Anthony Davis, and it looked like it could pay off as the former Lakers star has enjoyed his best period in the NBA yet.
After two years with the Pelicans, the Bulls then pounced on the youngster, giving up Thomas Saturnski, Garrett Temple and several snaps before Ball was offered a massive contract extension. But Ball only played 35 games before he was sidelined, and has yet to return after countless setbacks.
Before his third knee surgery, Paul still couldn’t run, run, or jump without any kind of pain. Ball is hoping for a third time lucky, otherwise he may have no choice but to retire.
