Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will have third surgery on left knee, putting next season in doubt

Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball was back at the Advocate Center on Thursday; he even got an upper-body workout in.

It seems he wanted to be the bearer of bad news in person.

The Bulls confirmed that Ball and his representatives at Klutch Sports have opted for a fourth surgery on his left knee — his third as a Bull in the last 14 months — casting doubts over whether he’ll play at all in the 2023-24 season.

It will be a cartilage transplant, and Ball said in a statement that his main focus remained “returning to the court and getting to a place where I can rejoin my teammates.’’

“This has been a frustrating process, but I’m confident these next steps are the best path forward,’’ Ball said. “The support of my family, friends, fans and medical staff throughout my recovery is what keeps me moving forward. I can’t wait to get back to what I love doing most — playing basketball.’’

Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas also issued a statement:

“I continue to admire Lonzo’s perseverance throughout this journey. This has been a long and challenging road for him, and this decision has been a difficult one to make. The organization is behind him, and he has our full support. Our training and medical staff continue their commitment to Lonzo’s rehabilitation and to working with him throughout this next phase to ensure his healthy return to basketball.’’

That return is the murky part.

Several reports have most — or all — of Ball’s 2023-24 season in jeopardy, but the Bulls are trying to be a bit more optimistic, avoiding that doomsday scenario. A source said the organization was hoping for a six-month recovery, then a re-evaluation at that point.

That source, however, said the Bulls’ medical team has been mostly out of the loop for some time, only getting information from Ball’s medical team when there’s information to give.

The initial knee injury suffered in January 2022 has led to nerve damage, which has led to many unknowns, including a recovery time.

The notion that Ball’s career is in jeopardy is real, whether the Bulls want to admit it or not. The fact that he hasn’t played in an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022, is evidence of the seriousness.

“I just feel bad for him,’’ coach Billy Donovan said last week. “He’s 25 years old, and here it is missing this entire year, and next season is uncertain. . . . You just feel bad that he hasn’t been able to play. I don’t know how long it will take for him to get back or what that rehab will even look like.’’

Even if the best-case scenario results from this latest surgery, what would next season even look like for him?

It clearly would be focused on load management and Ball adjusting to what could be a new-look roster.

The Bulls have him under contract for next season at $20.4 million but would undoubtedly have to address their point-guard situation this summer just in case.

So this might be more than just a playoff push for veteran Patrick Beverley; it could turn out to be a tryout.

Beverley is thrilled to be playing for his hometown team and, like Ball, is a defensive force.

The former Marshall High School standout doesn’t have Ball’s all-around game, especially offensively, but he could prove to be the ultimate insurance policy.

BALL BY THE NUMBERS

Contract: Four years, $85 million.

What’s left: 2023-24 season — $20.4 million; 2024-25 — $21.4 million (player option).

Injury history with Bulls

• Jan. 20, 2022: Diagnosed with a bone bruise and small meniscus tear in his left knee.

• Jan. 28, 2022: Undergoes first surgery for the injury — second surgery on left knee of his career.

• Sept. 28, 2022: Ball undergoes another surgery because of lingering pain and discomfort.