Former Pelicans Guard Out For Entire Season

Former New Orleans Pelicans guard will miss the entire 2023-24 season.

The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry reports devastating news concerning former New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball.  Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arutras Karnišovas told the media, "Going into the offseason, our expectation is that he's [Ball] not coming back next season."

The Pelicans acquired Ball following the Anthony Davis trade with Los Angeles in 2019.  He was in the package deal with Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, the draft rights to De'Andre Hunter, two first-round draft picks, a first-round pick exchange, and cash to the Pelicans for Davis.

Mar 26, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball warms up before their game against the Denver Nuggets at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

After two seasons, he became a restricted free agent in New Orleans.  On Aug. 8, 2021, the Pelicans traded Ball to the Bulls where his signed a four-year, $85 million contract extension.

The team announced on Feb. 21 that a left knee injury would prevent his return for the 2022-23 season.  In March, he had cartilage transplant surgery in the same knee.

Ball's NBA future is cloudy as he has only played in 35 games with the Bulls and will miss the entire 2023-24 season.

During his two seasons in New Orleans, Ball became a solid point guard with 118 game appearances averaging 32 minutes, 13.1 PPG, 6.4 APG, and 1.4 steals.  He has played in 252 NBA games, averaging 11.9 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 1.6 steals.