Lonzo Ball commerce: Isaac Okoro, Bulls, Cavaliers all win; besides injury-prone Ball himself
The Chicago Bulls are buying and selling Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in trade for Isaac Okoro, ESPN reported on Saturday. The commerce will solely be official after July 6, when the NBA’s moratorium interval ends. Ball, who made the All-Rookie Second Workforce in 2018, is coming after being sidelined for over two seasons and present process three operations on his left knee. He returned in 2024-25 to function in 35 video games, having 14 begins underneath his belt.
Final season, Lonzo Ball averaged 7.6 factors, 3.4 rebounds, and three.3 assists. General, the 27-year-old has averaged 11.4 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 287 video games (253 begins) with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-19), New Orleans Pelicans (2019-21), and the Bulls.
Isaac Okoro, alternatively, had a poor final season with career-low averages in factors (6.1), rebounds (2.4), video games (55), and begins (22). The 24-year-old is presently averaging 8.1 factors and a pair of.8 boards in 334 profession video games (238 begins) since being drafted by Cleveland in 2020.
Why Bulls, Cavs and Okoro received the commerce
For the Bulls, the commerce considerably is smart. Whereas Okoro hasn’t had one of the best season final 12 months, he appears far more dependable than Lonzo Ball. The 24-year-old wing, identified for his defensive tenacity, makes up for Chicago’s want for a 3-and-D participant to enrich Zach LaVine and Coby White.
It is vitally a lot attainable that Okoro reaches his top-five choose potential once more and be a key a part of Bulls common supervisor Marc Eversley’s transition plan. The transfer could possibly be a profession increase for the 24-year-old. Caught in Cleveland’s crowded rotation behind Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert, he now has a beginning function in Chicago.
The Cavaliers, coming off a 48-win season, seemingly view Ball as a high-upside gamble. The previous No 2 choose, regardless of enjoying solely 35 video games since 2022 as a result of knee accidents, presents elite playmaking.
Why is Lonzo Ball shedding within the commerce?
Probably the most hurting a part of Ball is his contract. Previous to his extension earlier this 12 months, the 27-year-old was enjoying on a four-year $80 million contract. He, nevertheless, agreed to a two-year $20 million extension to stay with Chicago. That is a large pay lower. His harm historical past also can restrict his function in Cleveland’s contender plans.
