NBA
The Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that Lonzo Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. It’s scheduled to happen on Tuesday. Ball was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee June 29, but is expected to be ready to go by the start of training camp, according to Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania. Ball initially injured his knee in January of last season. He missed 24 of the team’s final 40 games due to the injury.
Injury Favors Ball
With Ball’s injury, teams aren’t going to pursue him until he shows that he’s healthy. Some in the Lakers organization believe that those in Ball’s camp released this information to avoid a trade. The Lakers initially did not want the knee injury to get out because they were looking to possibly move him.
Ball Not In His Court
Magic Johnson, the President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers, made it known to Ball that he’ll have competition this season. Johnson signed point guard Rajon Rondo this summer and has been quoted on praising the talents of shooting guard Josh Hart. Johnson made this statement about Hart at Summer League:
Magic Johnson is praising @joshhart‘s development and play in Vegas summer league. “Some guys better watch out because he’d gonna be pushing to start.”
— Bill Oram (@billoram) July 13, 2018
Hopeful Return
Ball averaged 10.2 points and 7.2 assists per game last season and made the NBA All-Rookie second team. He has been working on his conditioning and unique jumper this summer as well as putting on muscle mass. Once he fully recovers, we will see if he has truly made any improvements over the off-season.
