Chicago Bulls' Lonzo Ball Facing Possibility of 3rd Knee Procedure

Lonzo Ball can't catch a break. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Chicago Bulls point guard is staring down the possibility of a third procedure on the right knee that has already cost him the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

ESPN story on Bulls guard Lonzo Ball -- who's had two right knee surgeries since his last game in January of 2022 -- facing an increasing possibility of a third procedure: https://t.co/WItDBTabFX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 9, 2023

Ball hasn't appeared in a game since January 14th, 2022, a 138-96 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He has undergone two knee surgeries in the past 14 months and has already missed 31 of a possible 66 games this season. The Bulls and Ball's agents are currently evaluating their options, but a third procedure could cost him another six months in recovery time, potentially interfering with his availability for offseason activities and even the regular season.

Ball has improved steadily since entering the NBA as the second overall pick of the 2017 Draft, but he has failed to live up to the expectations of his draft position and the high profile manifested by his family. He was in the middle of arguably his most efficient season in the pros so far, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game with a career-best .575 true shooting percentage.

Ball is only 25 years old and still has two years remaining on a four-year, $80 million deal. Hopefully, he'll come back healthy next season and have a chance to fulfill his enormous potential.