NBA News: May 28th

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LONZO BALL’S REMARKABLE RECOVERY JOURNEY

In a surprising revelation, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball shared that he underwent a rare and intricate procedure last year to address his persistent meniscus injury in his left knee. The 26-year-old detailed his experience on his podcast, “The WAE Show,” shedding light on the severity of his condition and the extensive measures taken to save his career.

Lonzo’s knee issues date back to 2018, during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, when he initially tore his meniscus. Over the years, the injury worsened, leading to a complete loss of his meniscus and severe damage to the surrounding cartilage and bone. By early 2023, Ball was facing a “bone on bone” situation, which necessitated a meniscus transplant from a donor, along with a bone graft and new cartilage insertion.

“The cartilage was gone, and the bone was messed up, so I had to get a new meniscus from a donor,” Ball explained. This groundbreaking surgery, performed in March 2023, marked his third knee surgery within a year. Despite the challenges, Ball remains optimistic about his recovery journey.

Although Ball hasn’t played an NBA game since January 14, 2022, he is determined to return to the court. He has yet to participate in five-on-five scrimmages, but he expressed confidence in being ready for the opening game of the next season, barring any major setbacks. “Still got a long summer ahead of me, but I’m definitely looking forward to the future,” he said.

In June 2023, Ball was ruled out for the 2023-24 season as he continued his rehabilitation. However, he exercised his $21.4-million player option for the 2024-25 season earlier this month, showing his commitment to returning stronger. Entering the final season of his four-year, $80-million contract, Ball has only played 35 games with Chicago and this is important to take into consideration for the NBA Playoffs odds.

TURMOIL IN SACRAMENTO: MIKE BROWN AND KINGS’ FRONT OFFICE AT ODDS

The Sacramento Kings find themselves in a precarious situation as head coach Mike Brown and the team’s front office appear to be at a stalemate. With Brown heading into the final year of his contract in 2024-25, negotiations for an extension have hit a roadblock, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Mike Brown, 54, has had a mixed tenure with the Kings. In his first season (2022-23), he led the team to a commendable 48-34 record, guiding them to the playoffs and ending a 16-year postseason drought. This season, however, the Kings couldn’t replicate that success, finishing with a 46-36 record and missing the playoffs after a play-in tournament loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Brown’s inaugural campaign with Sacramento was a bright spot in the franchise’s recent history. The team not only enjoyed its best season in nearly two decades, but also launched the “Light the Beam” era, a symbol of their newfound optimism. The Kings also posted the NBA’s best offensive rating, scoring 118.6 points per 100 possessions.

Despite returning much of the same roster, the Kings’ offensive prowess waned slightly this season. Their offensive rating dropped to 116.2, ranking them 13th in the league—a noticeable dip from the previous year’s league-leading performance. This decline, combined with the failure to secure a playoff spot, has reportedly left Kings ownership dissatisfied with Brown’s performance.

Brown’s coaching résumé includes stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, and he joined Sacramento on a four-year contract after six successful seasons as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors. However, the current discord between him and the front office raises questions about his future with the Kings.

The stalled extension talks suggest a lack of alignment on the team’s direction. Brown’s ability to bring out the best in the Kings was evident in his first year, but the subsequent underperformance has sparked concerns. Ownership’s frustration is understandable, yet Brown’s track record and potential to steer the team back to the playoffs make this situation complex with all the implications regarding the NBA Playoffs odds.
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