The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that Lonzo Ball underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee but he's expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp.

The 20-year-old has been dealing with a torn meniscus throughout the offseason and was looking into different options to treat it.

He missed the final eight games of the regular season with a knee contusion and according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, he also spent a month resting it to allow the injury to heal after the campaign ended.

Huge inconvenience

This setback is delaying the point guard from working on his game and in particular, looking to improve his jump shot.

He has used the time to get stronger and bulk up ahead of the new season but the Lakers will certainly want him to spend a considerable amount of time perfecting his shot.

Ball was heavily criticised last year as he struggled to shoot the ball and looked uncomfortable with his awkward motion.

He shot just 30.5 percent from three-point range last year and 45 percent from the free-throw line.

The former number two overall pick is not guaranteed to be a starter after the team signed Rajon Rondo in free agency.

As soon as he recovers from his knee problem, he'll be under pressure to prove he belongs in the starting line up ahead of the veteran and will have to compete hard in training camp.

But in the eyes of Magic Johnson, Rondo can be the mentor that Lonzo needs to improve his game.

"I've told everybody when I took over the job and then we drafted him, the one thing that [Ball] was missing was a mentor," said Johnson, per ESPN.

"We really didn't have a mentor for him to really teach him and help him how to play the point guard position.

"And now we have one in Rondo that can really take him through how to read defences, how to play and defend certain guys in the league at the position.

"Just talk basketball to. So, this is really going to be an important year for Lonzo and I think Rondo will really help him out a lot."

With LeBron James joining the purple and gold, the expectations for the team have risen and that'll put pressure on Ball and the other young players to step their game up and be prepared to fight for a playoff spot.

CLICK HERE to listen to Episode Two of the new GiveMeSport NBA podcast, featuring New York Times senior writer Marc Stein. Subscribe for all future episodes.