Bulls G Lonzo Ball buys $21.3 million option

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February 3, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) sits on the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at United Center.

February 3, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) sits on the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at United Center.
Image: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, who has missed the past two-plus seasons due to chronic knee problems, picked up his $21.3 million option for the 2024-2025 season, ESPN and NBC Sports Chicago reported Saturday.

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Ball, 26, has undergone three surgeries on his left knee, the latest a cartilage transplant in March 2023.

Ball has not played an NBA game since January 14, 2022, and there is no guarantee he will be able to play again next season.

The New Orleans Pelicans signed Ball to a four-year contract worth $85 million in August 2021 and then sent him to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade agreement. In his only season with the BullsBall averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals in just 35 games.

The NBA granted Chicago a $10.2 million injury exception for Ball last July.

In 252 career games (239 starts) over five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-19), Pelicans (2019-21) and BullsBall averaged 11.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals. The Lakers selected him No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft.

— Field-level media