‘If he comes back it would be great’ – The Denver Post

Lonzo Ball’s absence from the basketball court is only growing longer.

Executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas confirmed Thursday that Ball is not expected to play for the Chicago Bulls in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Ball underwent a rare cartilage transplant in March, his third procedure to address a baffling knee injury that has kept him sidelined since January 2022. While Karnišovas said Ball is “recovering nicely” after moving off crutches in May, the team does not have any expectation for the point guard to return to the court this coming season.

“Going into the offseason, our expectation is that he’s not coming back next season and he’s going to continue on his recovery,” Karnišovas 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.”

The Bulls have been committed to Ball’s long-term rehabilitation over the past 17 months. But no NBA player has undergone a cartilage transplant and returned to the court, reflecting a bleak outlook for Ball’s future in Chicago — and in the league.

Despite no expectations of returning their point guard to the court this season, Karnišovas said the Bulls do not have any plans to waive Ball before the season to relieve salary cap pressure created by his four-year, $80 million contract.

“The hope eventually is that you’re going to see him on the basketball court,” Karnišovas said.

In the meantime, the Bulls must face the gaping hole left in the point guard position by Ball’s extended absence.

The Bulls have struggled with offensive stagnancy and a lack of 3-point shooting volume over the last two seasons, leaning on stopgap solutions like then-rookie Ayo Dosunmu and late-season signing Patrick Beverley.

Karnišovas signaled that the point guard position will be a key focus — along with 3-point shooting — for the Bulls in free agency, which opens on June 30.

“We’re going to address it,” Karnišovas said. “Once the free agency starts, I’m sure this information will come out and we’ll see what we have but there’s a lot of work to do. We have to get better. We’re going to address that.”

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