Lonzo Ball denies NBA retirement rumors after discussing his health

Lonzo Ball denies he is thinking of retiring from the NBA, even though in an episode of the “Ball In the Family” podcast (around the 54:00 mark) he spoke openly about his health problems and injury history. He said he feels he has given everything during his first nine seasons in the league and that he is grateful for the opportunity to play in the NBA. Ball admitted he must manage daily knee pain, which swelled for a long time during a game, but that with a combination of yoga, stretching and ice he manages to play even though the pain remains and sometimes it feels like he’s playing on stilts, because he can’t stop quickly without aggravating it. He also posted on X that he is ready for new opportunities and is not planning to retire.

As reported by Bleacher Report, Ball was drafted second overall in the 2017 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and began having knee problems as a rookie, when he injured his MCL midway through the season. In July 2018 he underwent arthroscopy to repair the meniscus, but returned for the start of the 2018-19 season; then an ankle injury cut short his second season. The Lakers included him in the deal for Anthony Davis, and with the New Orleans Pelicans he had the two best seasons of his career, averaging 13.1 points, 37.6% from three-point range, 6.4 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 118 appearances.

In 2021 he moved to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal, but his career declined due to a torn meniscus that ended his season. Knee problems continued and Ball missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons; in March 2023 he had a cartilage transplant after the meniscus was almost destroyed and the knee was described as “bone on bone.” He returned to the court at the start of the 2024-25 season with the Bulls, but his minutes were limited. In July 2025 he was transferred to the Cleveland Cavaliers; after 35 appearances with Cleveland he was sent to the Utah Jazz in February and released by the club without playing a game for them.

The last season was the first time in several years he was available in a relatively steady way — he played in 35 of Cleveland’s first 51 games before the mid-season trade and with the Cavs averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Even though there are no clear signs that many clubs are actively pursuing him, Ball has denied plans to retire and says he remains ready for future offers, according to Bleacher Report’s observations.