Bulls Rumors: 'Growing Buzz' Lonzo Ball Will Try to Play Next Season amid Knee Injury

Lonzo Ball hasn't appeared in an NBA game since January 2022 due to a knee injury, but it appears the Chicago Bulls veteran will attempt to return to the court in 2024-25 despite missing two whole seasons.

According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, there is "growing buzz" that Ball will "at least try to attempt to play next season."

Ball has undergone three surgeries on his left knee dating back to 2022.

The first surgery, which took place in January 2022, was to repair a torn left meniscus. He was expected back on the floor before the end of the 2021-22 campaign, but continued to experience pain in his knee throughout the rehab process.

That led to a second surgery in September 2022. Ball underwent an arthroscopic debridement on his left knee, but he again continued to experience pain and that led the Bulls to shutting him down for the entire 2022-23 season.

The third surgery, which Ball underwent in March 2023, was a more aggressive cartilage transplant procedure. He confirmed in August that he would miss the entire 2023-24 campaign while recovering.

At Chicago's media day in October, he told reporters that he intended on playing again despite having been off the court for an extended period of time.

"I definitely plan on playing again," Ball said. "Like I said I'm only 25, and I feel like the rehab process has been going well so far, no setbacks. So for me it's just keep my head up and just keep doing the work."

While Ball has aspirations to play again, there's been many questions about whether he will be able to return to the NBA. He turned 26 in October, but missing two full seasons could greatly impact his performance on the court.

Expecting Ball to instantly return to the same caliber player he once was is a big ask, but the Bulls will still be hoping he can contribute in a big way if he does return to the court next season.

Prior to hitting the shelf, the 2017 No. 2 overall pick was averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 35 games during the 2021-22 season while shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from deep.

Chicago has greatly missed his presence this season as it sits ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 34-25 record.