The Bulls are trading Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, spent the past four seasons in Chicago. However, due to multiple knee injuries, spent the better part of that time recovering. He missed the entirety of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons before returning to the lineup this past year.
While his playtime was down from his career averages this season, he still recorded 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
The Bulls signed Ball to a two-year, $20MM extension in February despite trade interest at the time. He’s on the books for $10MM this season and has a team option for next year.
Acquiring Ball gives the Cavaliers a versatile guard to add to their lineup. If he remains healthy, Ball has proven to be an effective defender, shooter and facilitator. Cleveland acquiring a point guard could also point to pessimism in their ability to re-sign impending free agent Ty Jerome.
More to come…