The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to enhance their backcourt by acquiring guard Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls. In exchange, forward Isaac Okoro will head to the Bulls, according to a person familiar with the arrangement.
This individual, who chose to remain unnamed, revealed that while the agreement is in place, it cannot be officially processed until July 6, at the commencement of the new league year.
Lonzo Ball, who has faced significant challenges with injuries, managed to notch 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 35 games in the most recent season. This follows a lengthy recovery period where he missed the entirety of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to a serious left knee injury. In March 2023, Ball underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant to address a persistent issue stemming from two previous unsuccessful surgeries back in the 2021-22 campaign, his first with Chicago.
Originally the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 draft, Ball also had to sit out the latter part of the season with a sprained right wrist. As he enters his final contract year with a team option for the 2026-27 season, Ball’s move to Cleveland fills a significant gap for the Cavaliers at the point guard position. The team faces the possibility of Ty Jerome entering free agency unrestricted and concerns regarding Darius Garland, who is recovering from surgery on his left big toe that may delay his regular season debut.
The Cavaliers, coming off an impressive 64-18 regular-season record, saw their playoff run end in the Eastern Conference semifinals after five games against the Indiana Pacers. This strategic trade seeks to bolster their lineup moving forward.
Isaac Okoro, traded to Chicago, has been a commendable perimeter shooter and defender, averaging 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds over the past season. Despite these skills, his minutes on the court saw a decline throughout the season, eventually settling at 14.2 minutes per game during the playoffs compared to 19.1 minutes in the regular season. Okoro’s contract with the Bulls still has two years remaining.