According to ESPN Insider Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls are trading Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro. Just days after the Cavaliers drafted Tyrese Proctor (6’6″) and Saliou Niang (6’7″), they added the 27-year-old 6’6″ point guard in Ball.
For Ball, his biggest hurdle in the NBA so far has been his accumulation of injuries. A meniscus tear in 2022, a cartilage transplant in 2023, and a wrist sprain in 2024 have all stacked up against the former No. 2 overall pick. He’s only played in only 70 games over four years while missing the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons entirely.
When healthy, Ball can relieve the scoring and playmaking pressure off of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. For his career, Ball averages 11.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
The Cavaliers’ backup point guard, Ty Jerome, is on an expiring contract that could cost the team an additional $90 million in payroll and tax, pushing them into the second apron. Ball signed a two-year extension with the Bulls this summer, only worth $20 million, so the Cavaliers save money while potentially upgrading their backup point guard position.
If Jerome decides to leave the Cavaliers, then Ball would be a clear upgrade on the defensive side of the ball while averaging similar, if not better, stats than Jerome.
After parting ways with Ball, the Bulls will now take on the former fifth overall pick from the 2020 Draft, Okoro. This move comes days after drafting Noa Essengue as the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Essengue is a 6’9″ guard from France.
Acquiring Okoro adds to the defensive presence that the Bulls’ wings will have next season and gives them a bit of a boost in terms of shooting. For his career, Okoro averages 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and has shot 35.1 percent from behind the arc.
His play will contribute to the Bulls’ rebuilding success as Okoro has experience on a playoff-winning team. If Bulls General Manager Marc Eversley decides to go in a different direction to retool the roster even further, then Okoro has two years left on his three-year, $33 million contract.
Ball can be close to All-Star caliber play when healthy, similar to his brother Lamelo Ball, but his career has been riddled by injuries. If the former Chino Hills prospect can overcome his unhealthy woes and play more than 35 games this season, then the Cavaliers clearly win the trade.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
