The Cavaliers will take a cautious approach to Lonzo Ball‘s workload this fall, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link), who writes that the veteran point guard will be limited to roughly 20 minutes per night and will sit out one game in back-to-back sets.
The plan, designed to ease Ball into the season after he returned in 2024/25 from a two-and-a-half year absence, was put together by the team’s decision-makers in collaboration with the guard and the medical staff, per Fedor.
“Back-to-backs are off the table for right now,” Ball acknowledged on Monday. “Doesn’t mean it’s off the table for the whole year, but definitely the start.”
Ball’s 2021/22 season was cut short after just 35 games due to a knee injury, which ultimately required three surgeries and kept him off the court for nearly three calendar years. He returned last season, but played a fairly limited role in Chicago, averaging 22.2 minutes per game across 35 total outings (14 starts) and not suiting up for both ends of any back-to-backs. Still, while Ball did have a pair of extended injury absences, those were a result of wrist problems rather than knee issues.
As Fedor writes, Ball has impressed the Cavs this fall after being acquired over the summer in a trade for forward Isaac Okoro. Teammates and coaches have lauded his play-making, defense, versatility, and high basketball IQ, Fedor adds.
“He hasn’t disappointed,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said last week. “Everything that we thought we were getting, we’re getting. He’s just got a great, great feel. I’m excited to coach any NBA player, but this is a guy I’ve watched for a long time. He’s kind of the ultimate system fit.”
Ball is expected to play a key role on the Cavaliers’ second unit, which will be without Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome, who signed with Memphis as a free agent.
Ty Jerome lol.
Ball can ball, when healthy. The season is going to be a struggle for him, but he Could end up being a key player in the playoffs.
I like his energy on the court, wishing the best for him.
Hope he makes it back from his injury. Has to change his gm like Livingston did. Can be a key rotation player. Playing for chips now.
Change his game???
Livingston went from being a slashing guard to a post-up guard.
Lonzo is going from a 3&D guard to… a 3&D guard.
One day you will get it right. Ask Magic what he thinks of him ……
3 n D guard ???? Thats a new video game position. Ball has never been that and after injury will never be that. His IQ is what will keep him in game.
What aspect of Lonzo’s game does he need to change? You are clearly knowledgeable about him since you volunteered this information.
I’ll wait.
Dude what happened???? I thought you had it down
Ty Jerome, A+ grade grifterballer. How he got paid is crazy, he’s barely an NBA player, he’s a Euro leaguer who plays no defense.
Lonzo being 28 but treated the same as a 38 year old is crazy too.
Ty Jerome at the very least is very good innings eater for the regular season. He had great efficiency out on the court up until the Pacers series where he lost a boat load of money. He’s getting paid about $8 million dollars which is nothing for NBA players. 6th man of the year candidate that absolutely belongs in the NBA and he’ll out play that contract even if his defense isn’t all that good.
YoGirl, great points. He’s a fairly good player. But I’d rather have someone with a higher ceiling on the roster instead.