Scoop! Lonzo Ball Says He's Not Retiring: "I Didn't Know I Was Retired!"

　　Reporter Du Yijun / Combined Report

　　Lonzo Ball, who has been plagued by severe knee injuries for years and has been absent from NBA games for a long time, has recently faced persistent rumors that his career might be forced to end. In response, Ball took to social media on Tuesday to firmly refute the retirement talk, stating in a resolute tone, "I'm retired? I didn't know that!" He emphasized that he has not given up on the possibility of returning to the court.

　　As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Ball once showcased elite all-around skills during his time with the Chicago Bulls. However, he then fell into a lengthy nightmare of knee injuries, even undergoing a rare meniscus transplant surgery. That kept him sidelined since January 2022 until the 2024-25 season when he finally returned to the NBA, though his performances remained sporadic.

　　Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ball appeared in only 35 games, averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. After being traded to the Utah Jazz in February, he was waived shortly afterward and remains a free agent.

　　Facing questions about whether his career is over, Ball issued a clear statement on Tuesday, using the line "I'm retired? I didn't know that!" to show his determination.

　　In his post, Ball added a cryptic remark: "The NBA season is long." That comment was interpreted as a sign of his confidence in returning to the league. Even though he has yet to receive a formal contract from any team, Ball clearly believes that as the season progresses, roster changes due to injuries or team needs will give him the best chance to return to the highest stage.

　　Ball remains a free agent and continues his rehabilitation and personal training while waiting for an NBA team's call. Although the road back is full of challenges, the former star point guard is not ready to give up. He is fully preparing to put on an NBA jersey once again.