Chicago Bulls’ point guard Lonzo Ball, who has been sidelined for over two years due to persistent knee problems, has decided to exercise his option for the 2024-25 season, as per reports from ESPN and NBC Sports Chicago. Despite undergoing three surgeries on his left knee, including a cartilage transplant in March 2023, the 26-year-old hasn’t seen action in an NBA game since January 2022, raising doubts about his availability for the upcoming season.
After signing a four-year, $85 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans in August 2021, Ball was later traded to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade agreement. During his brief tenure with the Bulls, spanning just 35 games, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals.
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Last July, the NBA granted Chicago a $10.2 million injury exception for Ball. Across his five-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-2019), New Orleans Pelicans (2019-2021), and the Bulls, Ball has maintained averages of 11.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 252 games, with 239 starts. He was selected as the second overall pick by the Lakers in the 2017 NBA draft.
