Three Things You Should Know: Lonzo Ball will have his third knee surgery and may miss the entire 2019 season

Three Things To Know is NBC’s five-day-a-week wrap-up of the NBA’s previous night. Every weekday morning, visit NBCSports.com to catch up on what you missed the night before, as well as the rumors, drama, and dunks that make the NBA a must-see.

1) Lonzo Ball will have his third knee surgery and may miss the entire 2019 season.
Lonzo Ball will have surgery on his left knee for the third time in 14 months.
The team and his agency, Klutch Sports, released the disturbing news on Thursday. This time, it’s an operation — a cartilage transplant — that could keep him out for the rest of the season.
“This has been a difficult process, but I am confident that these next steps are the best way forward,” Ball said in a statement. “Throughout my recovery, the support of my family, friends, fans, and medical staff has kept me going. “I can’t wait to get back to doing what I love most: playing basketball.”
It’s reasonable to wonder if Ball will ever play on an NBA court again, which is heartbreaking for a 25-year-old basketball fan. He also proved to be the type of defender, outside shooter, and guard that the Bulls required in the 35 games he played for them. Ball’s contract is for two seasons at $41.9 million (the second season is a player option).
It’s also part of a run of bad luck for the Bulls’ point guards, beginning with Jay Williams and continuing with Derrick Rose and Ball.
Ball had knee surgery in January 2022 and was expected to be back before the season ended, but his recovery was slow and he was still in pain. In September, he underwent a second surgery. Recovery from that surgery was also slow, and the Bulls recently shut him down for the rest of the season. Now comes the third surgery, which is a more invasive procedure aimed at growing cartilage and implanting it in the knee.
“I continue to admire Lonzo’s perseverance throughout this journey,” said Artras Karniovas, the Bulls’ Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. This has been a long and difficult journey for him, and this decision has been difficult to make. The organization is behind him, and he has our complete backing. Our training and medical staff remain committed to Lonzo’s rehabilitation and will continue to work with him throughout this next phase to ensure his safe return to basketball.”
This offseason, Karniovas and the Bulls’ front office will need to address the point guard situation. At this point, anything they get from Ball in the future must be viewed as a bonus, not something they can count on.

2) Check out Myles Turner’s poster of Giannis. The Pacers also won.
Since February 1, the Bucks have been the best team in the NBA, while the struggling Pacers were without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Milwaukee was the overwhelming favorite…

 The Pacers won 139-123 thanks to 22-of-46 (47.8%) 3-point shooting and 24 points from Andrew Nembhard.
The play that everyone is talking about, however, is Myles Turner putting Giannis Antetokounmpo in a poster.

The Bucks have a comfortable lead in the Eastern Conference and can afford an off night against a hot-shooting team. It occurs. Milwaukee must not allow this to become a trend (other top teams have stumbled recently, including Denver).
3) Michael Jordan is in talks to sell his Hornets stake.
Michael Jordan has been an important owner for the NBA, serving as the league’s only black majority team owner as well as an iconic player who served as a critical link between the players’ union and ownership during CBA negotiations.
Jordan appears to be on his way out. He is in negotiations to sell his majority stake in the team to a group led by Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall. Although the talks are still in their early stages, both parties appear to be making progress.
Jordan would keep a minority stake in the team he bought in 2009. (he purchased the rest of the franchise and took sole ownership in 2019). Jordan eventually sold minority ownership of the team, including Plotkin.
What this means for the Hornets is unknown, but they have a lease to stay at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte until 2030. The Hornets are a young up-and-coming team led by franchise cornerstone guard LaMelo Ball. This could be a very good team in a few years (depending on how the draft lottery goes), making now the ideal time to buy the franchise.