Los Angeles Lakers second-year point guard Lonzo Ball participated in full-contact practice Thursday, but is not expected to play in the team’s first preseason game on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.

Ball underwent surgery this offseason on his left knee. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft had a torn meniscus in his knee and had a partial meniscus removal.

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Ball played in 52 games during his rookie season and averaged 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. The former UCLA Bruin shot 36.0 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from beyond the arc. Ball will back up veteran guard Rajon Rondo at the point guard position this season, at least to start the year.

The good news is Ball didn’t have a total removal of his meniscus. That procedure can lead to knee issues such as arthritis down the line, something Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade has already experienced. The spotlight won't be on Ball this year. Now that superstar LeBron James is on the team, the hype and hoopla will be surrounding him, so that will allow Ball to just focus on getting better as a basketball player.

Ball, who has tweaked his jump shot, will need to become a reliable perimeter shooter this season. James is going to dominate the ball a lot for the Lakers. When he collapses the paint on his drives to the basket, LeBron is going to kick it out to the shooters on the perimeter for wide-open looks instead of forcing up a tough, contested shot in heavy traffic.

That's where Ball and the rest of the Lakers come into play. They are going to get so many easy looks from downtown this season playing alongside James. Ball said at media day his shot is more effortless now because he got stronger during the summer. The Lakers are hoping the 20-year-old will shoot better than 30.5 percent from 3 this season.