Lopez needs exploratory surgery on re-injured knee
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Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY -- Prospective Utah Jazz point guard Raul Lopez needs exploratory surgery so doctors can determine the severity of a damaged ligament in his reconstructed right knee.
The injury is believed to be a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, Utah vice president Kevin O'Connor said Wednesday. Surgery is planned, but O'Connor didn't know when or where it will be performed.
"We're simply trying to establish the extent of the injury," O'Connor said. "We would need to do an arthroscopic procedure to take a look at it."
The 22-year-old Lopez was with the Spanish team, preparing for the upcoming world championships, when he was hurt Saturday.
He remains overseas, and Jazz officials are trying to determine where to perform the procedure. The team wants it done in Salt Lake City, but Lopez told Spanish media outlets he prefers to stay home in Spain.
Also undetermined is who will pay for the exploratory operation, plus any subsequent procedures. Lopez passed a physical during a visit to Utah last month but hasn't signed an NBA contract.
"We'll worry about that only if there's a problem," O'Connor said. "We've got a Plan B and Plan C, D, E and F."
He wouldn't say if or when Lopez would be able to join the Jazz. Lopez borrowed $1.5 million to buy out the balance of his European contract so he could play in Utah next season.
If another reconstructive surgery is required, Lopez would almost certainly miss the 2002-03 season.
Lopez was taken in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft, the 24th overall selection. Jazz officials had hoped to pair him with NBA career assists and steals leader John Stockton, who is returning for a 19th season.
Lopez first tore the ligament last season and needed a six-month rehabilitation. He returned for Real Madrid in the Spanish league playoffs and said during his visit to Utah last month that the knee felt fine.
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