Three things to know: Lonzo Ball is undergoing third knee surgery and could miss all of next season

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1) Lonzo Ball is set to undergo a third knee surgery and could miss all of next season

Lonzo Ball undergoes surgery on his left knee for the third time in 14 months.

This disturbing news came on Thursday from the team and its agency Klutch Sports. This time it’s an operation – a cartilage transplant – which means he may also miss all of next season.

“This has been a frustrating process, but I am confident that these next steps are the best way forward,” Ball said in a statement. “The support of my family, friends, fans and medical staff throughout my recovery keeps me moving forward. I can’t wait to get back to what I love to do – play basketball.”

It’s fair to wonder if Ball will ever step onto an NBA court again — which is devastating for a 25-year-old passionate about the game. He also proved to be just the type of defender, outside shooter and guard to push the pace the Bulls needed in the 35 games he played for them. Ball has two seasons with a remaining contract of $41.9 million (season two is a player option).

It’s also part of a Losing streak from the Bulls’ point guard injurystarting with Jay Williams, through Derrick Rose, to ball.

Ball underwent knee surgery in January 2022 and is expected to return before the end of the season, but his recovery has been slow and pain has persisted. He had a second operation in September. The recovery from this operation was also slow, and recent The Bulls shut him down for the remainder of this season. Now comes this third surgery and it’s a more radical procedure that tries to grow cartilage and put it in the knee.

“I continue to admire Lonzo’s persistence in this journey,” said Artūras Karnišovas, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations, in a statement. This has been a long and challenging road for him, and it was a difficult decision to make. The organization is behind him and he has our full support. Our coaching and medical staff remains committed to Lonzo’s rehabilitation and to working with him during this next phase to ensure his healthy return to basketball.”

Karnišovas and the Bulls’ front office will have to deal with the point guard situation this offseason. At this point, anything they get from Ball in the years to come needs to be seen as a bonus, but not something to expect.

2) Observe Myles Turner Put Giannis in a poster. Also, the Pacers won.

The Bucks have been the best team in the NBA since Feb. 1 while the struggling Pacers were without an All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Milwaukee was the big favorite…

Welcome to the NBA. The Pacers defeated 22 of 46 (47.8%) of 3 and earned 24 points from Andrew Nembhard on his way to a 139-123 win.

However, the game everyone is talking about is Myles Turner’s putting Giannis Antetokounmpo on a poster.

The Bucks have a cushion in the East and can afford a night off against a hot shooting team. It happens. Milwaukee just can’t make it a trend (a few other top teams have stumbled lately — we’re looking, Denver).

3) Michael Jordan in talks to sell his stake in Hornets

Michael Jordan was a key owner for the NBA — the only black-majority team owner and also a legendary player who was a crucial bridge between the players’ union and ownership during CBA negotiations.

Now it looks like Jordan is stepping out. He is in talks to sell his majority stake in the team to a group led by Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall. It’s still relatively early in talks, but the sides have reportedly picked up steam.

Jordan would retain a minority interest in the team he bought into in 2009 (he bought the remainder of the franchise and took sole ownership in 2019). Jordan eventually sold minority shares in the team, including to Plotkin.

What this means for the Hornets remains up in the air, but they are leased to remain at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte through 2030. The Hornets are a young team on the rise built around the cornerstone guard of the franchise LaMelo ball. This could be a very good team in a few years (especially depending on how this draft lottery goes), which could make this the perfect time to buy the franchise.