Lonzo Ball expected to miss the entire 2023-24 NBA season for Bulls / News - Basketnews.com

Bulls GM Arturas Karnisovas said that the organization doesn't expect Lonzo Ball to return to the court next season, and the process is going although he won't be available.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports Credit USA TODAY Sports

Lonzo Ball has been battling injuries for multiple seasons now. The Chicago Bulls are now getting ready for the upcoming season without him in mind.

2-pointers this season

55%32,1Points made:32,1Accuracy:55,5%Place in standings:2Record max:44Record min:22Most made 2FGs:DeMar DeRozanTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Talking to the press after the 2023 NBA Draft, Bulls GM Arturas Karnisovas told that the organization is not expecting Ball to be back on the court next season.

"He's recovering nicely. I think last month he got off the crutches, and he's recovering. During his rehab, everything's been going well. Going into the offseason, I think our expectation is that he's not coming back next season, and he's going to continue his recovery," Karnisovas said. "If he comes back, it would be great but we're just going to treat this offseason and getting ready for the season that he's not going to be back next season."

"I hope eventually you're going to see him on the basketball court but I don't think he's going to be back next season," he concluded.

Ball required a cartilage transplant, which is a very rare procedure in the sports world. No player has returned to the basketball court from such surgery in NBA history.

The Bulls guard played his last game more than a year ago when scored 15 points in a 42-point loss against theGolden State Warriors.

Throughout the year, Ball underwent two surgeries but the pain and discomfort continued.

Ball averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 35 games during the 2021-22 season. Throughout his career, his numbers are similar - 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists.

After signing a four-year $80 million contract with theNew Orleans Pelicans in 2021, Lonzo went to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal. He is set to earn just over $20 million next season.

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