Lonzo Ball appears to be nearing the end of his basketball career at just 28 years old after discussing his future on a podcast. The former No. 2 overall pick has spent the past several seasons battling serious knee injuries that significantly limited his time on the court.
According to NBC Sports, Ball said on a podcast that he is retiring from the NBA. However, BasketNews reported that Ball has not made a formal retirement announcement, describing his comments as a strong indication that he may be ready to move on from basketball.
Lonzo Ball Reflects on His NBA Career
Ball entered the NBA as the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was one of the most highly anticipated young point guards in the league after an impressive college career at UCLA.
Reflecting on his journey, Ball said he felt he had given everything he had to basketball and was grateful for the opportunity to play in the NBA for nine seasons.
The point guard played for four NBA franchises during his career: the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ball appeared in 322 NBA games and finished his career averaging 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, according to the NBC Sports report.
Knee Injuries Changed Lonzo Ball’s Career
Injuries became a major factor in Ball’s NBA career, particularly after he suffered a left knee injury during the 2021-22 season with the Chicago Bulls.
Ball underwent multiple procedures in an attempt to address the problem. He eventually had a meniscus and cartilage transplant in March 2023.
The extended recovery forced him to miss the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Ball finally returned to NBA action during the 2024-25 season, appearing in 35 games for Chicago. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists that season.
Chicago subsequently traded him to Cleveland in the summer of 2025.
Lonzo Ball’s Final NBA Season
Ball played the 2025-26 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, although his role was limited.
He averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers later traded Ball to the Utah Jazz in February 2026 as part of a three-team deal. Utah waived him the following day, leaving Ball as a free agent.
His most recent NBA appearance came on February 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
If Ball’s comments ultimately represent the conclusion of his playing career, his final NBA chapter will have come after a lengthy battle to return from knee problems.
Lonzo Ball’s NBA Highlights
Despite the injuries that interrupted his career, Ball produced several memorable moments during his time in the NBA.
He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors during the 2017-18 season after joining the Lakers. Ball also recorded eight career triple-doubles.
During his rookie season, he became the youngest player in NBA history at the time to record a triple-double, doing so at 20 years and 15 days old.
Ball’s career highs included 33 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists, six steals and four blocks. He scored a career-high 33 points twice while playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in May 2021.
His ability as a passer and playmaker was one of the defining features of his game.
Lonzo Ball’s UCLA Career
Before becoming an NBA player, Ball established himself as one of the top college basketball prospects in the country at UCLA.
He was a consensus First-Team All-American, led the NCAA in assists and won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors in 2017.
Those achievements helped make Ball one of the most talked-about prospects entering the 2017 NBA Draft.
What Comes Next for Lonzo Ball?
At 28, Ball’s potential retirement would mark an early end to a career that was heavily affected by injuries.
His comments suggest that he is at peace with what he accomplished in basketball, even while acknowledging that injuries prevented him from reaching the level he believed he could achieve.
For now, the distinction between signaling retirement and formally announcing retirement remains important. NBC Sports reported that Ball said he is retiring, while BasketNews noted that he had not formally announced his retirement.
Regardless, Lonzo Ball’s NBA career included a high-profile draft selection, strong playmaking numbers, memorable triple-doubles and a difficult comeback from significant knee injuries.
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