Former $33 Million Lakers Star Predicted To Surprisingly Retire

Everyone is talking how Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will probably retire this offseason, but everything points to the fact that a former Laker is already contemplating his retirement.

Dan Bernstein from 670 The Score Chicago said that the Chicago Bulls don’t even expect to see Ball put on their jersey again.

“The other thing I heard is even though publicly there has been an expression of guarded optimism regarding a future for Lonzo Ball, and there’s a reason why pursuant to all kinds of union issues why they haven’t asked for the salary exemption yet,” Bernstein detailed on a May 27, 2023 episode of “Organizations Win Championships” podcast. “Because they don’t want to send the message publicly that they’re done with him. They don’t think it’s likely that he ever plays again.

“That was [also] our speculation when we heard about an experimental cartilage-replacement surgery that is incredibly rare and is much more likely being done just for his quality of life off the basketball court.”

The former Lakers star could retire after missing too much playing time

Bernstein has a few good reasons to say this. Ball didn’t see any action last season and missed most of the 2021-22 NBA season. Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant both missed a lot of time, but didn’t have trouble returning to the floor.

The Lakers selected Ball with the No.2 in the 2017 NBA Draft. He spent two seasons with the team and delivered a decent performance. Ball averaged 10 points, 6.4 assist, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game with the Lakers. However, the Lakers front office added him to the trade package for Anthony Davis. Ball and a few other young players had to leave the team. Getting Davis was a good move for the Lakers and he helped them win a title.

Ball’s time with the Pelicans was cut after two years. He was offered a sign-and-trade deal and ended up joining the Chicago Bulls in 2021. Will he return to the basketball court again? Let’s wait and find out.