The rumor mill went into overdrive this week when Lonzo Ball's recent appearance on the "Ball in the Family Podcast" sparked speculation that the 28-year-old guard might be hanging up his sneakers. But Ball wasted no time in setting the record straight, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to laugh off the retirement chatter.
"I retired? News to me lol cuz I’m still waiting for a call… NBA season long 🤷🏻♂️," Ball posted, making it clear that he has no plans to walk away from the game just yet.
The confusion began when Ball sat down with Gilbert Arenas and his brother Gelo to reflect on his nine-year NBA journey, a career that has been plagued by injuries and unfulfilled potential. During the conversation, Ball opened up about his gratitude for the game, saying, "I feel like I never shortchanged the game. I feel like I gave everything I had to hoop, and I feel like everything I got in my life is because of hoop. I’m grateful to even make it to the league and be able to play for nine years."
He also admitted to a lingering sense of what might have been, adding, "I don’t think I ever got to my peak, and damn, that s—t sucks. But at the same time, there’s people that don’t have meals at night to eat. That’s how I look at the world."
Those words were enough to send fans and media into a frenzy, with many interpreting them as a farewell. But Ball, who was waived by the Utah Jazz in February and remains a free agent, insists he's not ready to call it quits.
Ball's injury history is well-documented, and he's been candid about how his body has failed him at times. His last NBA action came with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he appeared in 35 games last season, averaging just 4.6 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds—numbers well below his career averages. Once a promising No. 2 overall pick out of UCLA, Ball has struggled to stay on the court, with many pointing to his infamous Big Baller Brand shoes as a potential catalyst for his recurring injuries.
Despite the setbacks, Ball remains optimistic about his future in the league. He's not alone in his resilience—other athletes have faced similar crossroads and found ways to bounce back. For now, Ball is focused on getting healthy and finding a new home, and he's making it clear that retirement is not on his mind.
As he waits for that next opportunity, fans can only hope that the former lottery pick gets one more chance to show what he can do when fully healthy. In the meantime, Ball's response should put an end to the retirement speculation—at least for now.
