Bulls' Lonzo Ball expected to be shut down for remainder of season

Barring anything unforeseen, Chicago will likely rule Ball out for the season either during or after the All-Star break, the team insider said on the "Bulls Talk Podcast." As of now, Ball still can't run or cut properly without experiencing pain. 

The same problem plagued Ball in September, including having difficulty climbing stairs. That month, he underwent another procedure to relieve the pain, making his continuing discomfort even more concerning. 

Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas told reporters last week that he believed the 25-year-old was "making small improvements" health-wise. Karnišovas mentioned that the team would provide an update on Ball's health after All-Star Weekend, aligning with Johnson's report. 

Ball, the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, agreed to a 4-year, $85M deal with Chicago before last season, coming over in a sign-and-trade with New Orleans. In 35 games before getting injured, he averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. 

Following a promising start last season, the Bulls' chances of making a deep playoff run tanked after Ball went down. The Bulls were the top seed in the Eastern Conference at the time of the injury, then plummeted in the standings, finishing the regular season as the sixth seed. 

In the first round, Chicago was no match for division rival Milwaukee, losing in five games, and its struggles have only intensified this season. With a 26-33 record, Chicago sits 11th in the East and has lost its last six games. 

Second-year man Ayo Dosunmu has been handling most of the point guard duties this year, but the team will reportedly explore the buyout market for an upgrade. Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Patrick Beverley are among the potential options. 

While it is unclear how the injury will further affect Ball's career, hopefully, he'll get the opportunity to revitalize it next season.