Reports: Bulls G Lonzo Ball picks up $21.3M option

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, who has missed the past two-plus seasons with chronic knee issues, picked up his $21.3 million option for the 2024-25 season, ESPN and NBC Sports Chicago reported Saturday.

Ball, 26, has undergone three surgeries on his left knee, the last a cartilage transplant in March 2023.

Ball hasn't played in an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022, and there's no guarantee he'll be able to play next season.

The New Orleans Pelicans signed Ball to a four-year, $85 million contract in August 2021, then shipped him to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal. In his lone season with the Bulls, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals in just 35 games.

The NBA granted Chicago a $10.2 million injury exception for Ball last July.

In 252 career games (239 starts) over five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-19), Pelicans (2019-21) and Bulls, Ball averaged 11.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals. The Lakers selected him No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft.