Lonzo Ball Injury Update: Trade, Net Worth, and Future

Few NBA careers have taken as many unexpected turns as Lonzo Ball’s. The second overall pick in 2017, Ball was once the face of a basketball family dynasty, but his journey has been defined by injuries, trades, and comparisons to his younger brother LaMelo. After a three-year absence that stretched over 1,000 days, he returned to the court in October 2024, only to face a new set of questions about his future. This article traces his injury timeline, contract details, and what the Ball name means in the current NBA.

Points per game: 10.6 ·
Rebounds per game: 5.3 ·
Assists per game: 5.6 ·
Height: 6 ft 6 in ·
Weight: 190 lb ·
Position: Point guard

Six seasons, 10 career stats — one pattern: Lonzo Ball’s production has been solid but not elite, and his value has been undercut by health issues. The table below shows the key biographical and career markers.

Why is Lonzo Ball not playing in the NBA?

Lonzo Ball’s injury timeline

Lonzo Ball last played a full season in 2021-22 with the Chicago Bulls. In January 2022, he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. That injury set off a chain of complications that sidelined him for nearly three years. According to ESPN reported, he underwent three arthroscopic knee surgeries before attempting a comeback.

Surgery and recovery details

In March 2023, Ball underwent a cartilage transplant surgery — a more radical procedure than standard meniscus repair. Recovery from such a surgery typically takes 12-18 months, but Ball’s timeline stretched to nearly two years. He eventually returned to game action for the Bulls in October 2024, playing 35 games (Wikipedia notes).

Prognosis for return

Despite his return, his performance was a shadow of his earlier self. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting below 30% from three. NBA insider Brett Siegel reported for ESPN that Ball may never play in the NBA again. The Jazz acquired him in February 2026 and are expected to waive him, per ESPN sources.

Did Lonzo Ball get traded?

Details of the trade to the Utah Jazz

In February 2026, the Utah Jazz acquired Lonzo Ball in a three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. According to ESPN reported, the Jazz sent Jock Landale to the Hawks as part of the deal. The Athletic reported that Cleveland cleared Ball’s $10 million salary from its books, receiving no players in return.

Role in the Cavaliers-Jazz deal

Ball had been with Cleveland for only a partial season after being traded from the Bulls. His scoring had fallen to a career-low 4.6 points per game, shooting 30% from the field and below 30% from three, as noted by Yahoo Sports noted. The Cavaliers essentially used him as a salary filler to facilitate a larger move.

Impact on his career trajectory

Unlike Donovan Mitchell: Height, Trade, and Relationship Facts, whose trade to the Cavaliers boosted his career, the trade effectively marks the end of Lonzo Ball’s time as a contributing NBA player. The Jazz are not expected to retain him; CBS Sports reported that the Jazz are “likely to cut” him, allowing him to become a free agent. At 28, he faces an uncertain future.

Who is richer, LaMelo or Lonzo Ball?

Net worth estimates for LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball signed a five-year, $207 million rookie max extension with the Charlotte Hornets that began in 2024-25, according to Boardroom stated. His career earnings through the 2022-23 season were estimated at $24.7 million. With endorsements from Puma and other brands, his net worth is comfortably above $50 million.

Net worth estimates for Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball’s career earnings are substantial — roughly $80 million in salary over eight seasons — but his future earning potential has evaporated. His current deal with the Jazz is a one-year, $10 million contract signed in February 2026 (SalarySwish listed). After expected waiver, he will be a free agent with no guaranteed income.

Income sources: contracts, endorsements, business ventures

Both brothers have endorsement deals: LaMelo with Puma, Lonzo with Nike (and earlier with BBB). However, LaMelo’s celebrity and All-Star status have opened more lucrative opportunities. Lonzo’s business ventures include a music career and real estate, but they do not match his brother’s mainstream appeal.

Two brothers, two financial trajectories — one pattern: LaMelo’s max contract dwarfs Lonzo’s cumulative earnings. The comparison table below lays out the key numbers.

What is Lonzo Ball’s injury?

Type of knee injury

Lonzo Ball’s injury began as a torn meniscus in his left knee in January 2022. The initial surgery did not heal properly, leading to three additional arthroscopic procedures and eventually a cartilage transplant in March 2023. ESPN reported detailed the multi-step surgical history.

Treatment and rehabilitation

The cartilage transplant was a last-resort option for athletes who have exhausted standard repairs. Recovery involves months of non-weight-bearing activity, followed by progressive loading. Ball’s rehabilitation was slow, and he did not return to NBA action until October 2024 — more than 2.5 years after the initial injury.

Comparison to similar NBA injuries

Similar to the career trajectory detailed in Jimmy Butler: Trade, Injury, Family, and Latest Updates, few NBA players have successfully returned from a cartilage transplant to become productive rotation players. Examples like Amar’e Stoudemire and Chris Bosh faced shortened careers due to knee cartilage issues. Lonzo Ball’s case is particularly severe because of the number of repeat surgeries and the length of absence.

What is Lonzo Ball’s contract?

Current contract details with the Utah Jazz

Lonzo Ball signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Utah Jazz on February 5, 2026, according to SalarySwish listed. The deal includes a $10 million player option for 2026-27, though the Jazz are expected to waive him before that option vests (CBS Sports reported).

Previous contracts with Lakers, Pelicans, Bulls

Ball’s rookie contract with the Lakers was worth $33.4 million over four years. He signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Bulls in 2021 as a restricted free agent. That contract was in its final year when he was traded to Cleveland and then to Utah. For the 2024-25 season, his cap hit was $21,395,348 (SalarySwish listed).

Future earnings potential

If waived, Lonzo Ball will be a free agent at 28 with major medical red flags. It is unlikely any team will offer him more than a minimum contract, if at all. His playing career may end without another significant payday.

Timeline

• 2017: Drafted 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers (Basketball-Reference shows)
• 2019: Traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis deal
• 2021: Signed with the Chicago Bulls via sign-and-trade (4 years, $80M)
• January 2022: Suffered a torn meniscus in left knee
• March 2023: Underwent cartilage transplant surgery
• October 2024: Returned to NBA action after 1,000+ days (ESPN reported)
• February 2026: Traded to the Utah Jazz in three-team deal

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Lonzo Ball is not currently playing due to injury (torn meniscus and subsequent surgeries). (ESPN reported)
• He underwent cartilage transplant surgery in 2023. (ESPN reported)
• He was traded to the Utah Jazz in February 2026. (ESPN reported)
• He returned to NBA action in October 2024 after a 1,000+ day absence. (ESPN reported)

What remains unclear

• Whether Lonzo Ball will ever return to the NBA after expected waiver.
• Exact timeline for his rehabilitation or potential retirement.
• Specific details of the trade compensation (which draft picks or cash changed hands).
• Whether his brother LaMelo definitively has a higher net worth despite the $207 million contract. (Boardroom stated)

Perspectives

The Jazz are expected to waive Lonzo Ball and allow him to become a free agent.

— ESPN reported

Cleveland cleared Lonzo Ball’s $10 million salary from its books in the trade, receiving no players in return.

— The Athletic reported

The story of Lonzo Ball is one of what-ifs and missed potential. For the Utah Jazz, the decision to waive him is a cost-cutting move. For Lonzo, the window to prove he can still be a starting NBA point guard is closing fast. Either he finds a team willing to take a flier on his health, or the Ball family legacy shifts entirely to LaMelo.

For a comprehensive look at each surgical procedure and his long road back, fans can consult this detailed Lonzo Ball injury timeline.

Frequently asked questions