The Bulls are trading point guard Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers in exchange for forward Isaac Okoro, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, has played for Chicago since 2021. However, due to multiple knee injuries, he spent the better part of those four years recovering. He missed the entirety of the 2022/23 and ’23/24 seasons before returning to the lineup this past year.
While his playing time was down from his career averages this season, he still recorded 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per night and had positive on/off-court numbers.
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 coming season and has a team option for 2026/27.
Acquiring Ball gives Cleveland a versatile guard to add to its lineup. The 27-year-old has proven to be an effective defender, shooter and facilitator when healthy. The Cavs’ decision to acquire a point guard could also point to pessimism in their ability to re-sign impending free agent Ty Jerome.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are taking a flier of their own in obtaining former No. 5 overall pick Okoro. The Cavaliers didn’t re-sign Okoro to a multi-year contract until September of last year after he became a restricted free agent following the 2023/24 season.
Okoro’s playing time decreased in new head coach Kenny Atkinson‘s system, and he averaged career lows of 6.1 points and 19.1 minutes per game. In the playoffs, Okoro’s averages shrunk to 4.6 PPG across 14.2 MPG.
He’ll be in the second year of the three-year, $33MM deal he inked with Cleveland last year. He’ll count for $11MM against the cap in 2025/26 before his salary rises to a guaranteed $11.8MM next season.
Ball drew interest on the trade market prior to February’s deadline, with the Grizzlies, Pistons, and Timberwolves said to be among the teams to register interest at that time. The Bulls were reportedly offered draft capital in February, but didn’t want to take on a sizable multiyear contract.
Assuming the Ball/Okoro swap is completed as reported, it will hard-cap the Bulls at the first tax apron for the rest of the 2025/26 league year, since they’ll be taking in more salary than they’re sending out. The trade will become official in July, after the players’ new cap hits take effect.
WOW, the Cavs got off the Okoro contract, well done.
Bad for bad
If healthy lonzo ball is a lot better than isaac okoro…
So the Bulls are adding a #3 draft bust to their #4 draft bust in Williams. They should go for the whole top 10 busts and make a set.
They cancel each other out, don’t you see?
Your insight is #2.
Lonzo fits in so many more lineup combinations.
He hasn’t played a full season ever and missed 2 full seasons before last year so that’s a gigantic IF.
Pre-injury sure. Who knows now.
I hate my Bulls lately
I’ve hated the Bulls since 1998.
The next Magic Johnson lol.
Bulls forever in purgatory smh
What an excellent deal for the Cavs. They needed a PG/SG with size to compliment Garland/ Mitchell and he’s generally a better defender for guard and smaller SF. London can give them needed depth at 3 positions. plus they save some money from Okorro deal and can let Ball walk next year and open up more space or is a a trade piece. I still hope they try to retain Ty too.
I would think this means Jerome is gone.
I think Jerome is going to be too expensive.
I don’t hate it but I don’t love it. I just think Ball has sneaky value. Not many points with his size and defense. He can actually shoot a bit now too. Lot of cap conscious teams could use that.
Don’t love this as a bulls fan, even though Bulls lack a good sf. Take a flier on him hope he does well. I was hoping the bulls would get some sort of pick for lonzo though
One of those wait and see trades. 2 players that been injured and has not done much just needing new chances in a new place. Just surprised why the bulls didn’t ask for a 2nd round pick attached to it?
Okoro can take more shots now. He can defend as good as anyone. I think he will find his stroke. Ball playing fo a contender is good for the a cavs. He plays winning basketball.
Wow!
Garland trade coming…
So they start ball, lol hope not.
Another good move by Bulls
Meh. I’d rather have Ball, but overall pretty lateral trade.
Assembling the 2020 Avengers draft for us. Issac Okoro was the ONE guy I didn’t want in the draft (Obi or Hali is who I wanted). This guy cannot shoot and he might be the first 5th year player in the summer league’s history.
No draft pick….not even a charity draft pick.
I hate this front office. They need to find something to get rid of this ownership like Donald Sterling.
Ffs.
The Bulls sure are trying to win something. I just wish it wasn’t the Worst Trade of the Year award every year.
Good trade for the Bulls…need to get defensive with their Forwards…
It’s just a piece but could turn out to be an important one…
Lonzo is finished. Been saying it for yrs. Has to change his game if he wants to hang around and collect a check. Cavs finally gave up on Okoro. Well this could be his last chance here. Unfortunately Bulls don’t even develop their ball boys. Worst place to go , if you need coaching…….
I think it comes down to expectations. I don’t think they’re exorcist Ball to play nor than 15-20 minutes a game. if he’s healthy, and that’s a big if, them I think as long as he can run the offense, play D and hit the item 3 then it would be hard for him to disappoint. he’s cheap and will be an expiring contract soon soon he can be moved.
Its a salary dump. Expecting more is a bit too much imo. If he can play 20 mins its a big success.
Hopefully really competing for something. Brings out the best in him. If ha ca channel
Shaun Livingston second career with Warriors. Then its major lol. Just not sure about his mental toughness. Has to be the best healthy he can be too.
OKC won a ring with Okoro types.