The ex-Bulls point guard says he is not planning to retire from professional basketball yet.
Lonzo Ball only played 70 games in a Bulls uniform, but he made quite an impact when he was on the floor.
Chicago had a 27-13 record in 2021-22 before Ball went down with a devastating knee injury and his NBA career has not been the same since. The point guard spent two years sidelined with various setbacks, and now, he finds himself in free agency, waiting for his next opportunity.
Looking back at his time in the NBA is bittersweet for Ball. While the former No. 2 overall pick didn't have the outcome he expected to, Ball still achieved his dreams of playing in the league and has earned $122.9 million over his nine-year career.
Ball reflected on his NBA journey during an episode of the Ball in the Family Podcast on Tuesday, putting his career in perspective compared to those less fortunate than him.
"To be honest, I don't feel like I ever got to my peak," Ball said. "And it's like damn, that [expletive] sucks, but at the same time, there's a lot of people that don't have meals at night to eat. That's how I look at the world. I still got to make it up there, got to play and put the jersey on, and do everything I wanted to do as a kid. That was enough for me to be happy."
Feb 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (2) shoots a three point jump shot over New York Knicks point guard Miles McBride (2) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Ball said he felt like he gave everything he had to basketball and was grateful to make it to the NBA. Many believed that to be a sign that Ball may be considering retirement, but the 28-year-old took to social media on Wednesday to reaffirm that he's "waiting for a call" and is still aiming to continue playing.
The Bulls acquired Ball in 2021 after four years split between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. He started 35 games in Chicago that season, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game on a career-best 42.3% three-point percentage. The Bulls had the best record in the Eastern Conference when Ball tore his meniscus, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Ball's subsequent recovery and numerous procedures forced him to miss both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons entirely. The veteran point guard finally returned to the court in the fall of 2024, but he was not the same player that he was before.
Chicago traded Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for wing Isaac Okoro last summer. He made 35 appearances for the Cavs — shooting just 27.2% from beyond the arc — before he was shipped to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline. He was waived the same day and last played a game on Feb. 1.
The Bulls still have one available roster spot, and a reunion with ball could be an option. However, it's very likely that the fan-favorite would be a bench player, given Chicago's surplus of guards already on the team's roster.
