The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially announced the acquisition of Lonzo Ball.
Ball arrived in Cleveland via trade that also sent Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls. Ball is looking to reboot his career in Cleveland after being acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. The 6-foot-6 guard appeared in 35 games last season with Chicago, starting 14 of them. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.34 steals in 22.2 minutes per game.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to acquire someone with the skillset and versatility that Lonzo Ball brings to this team,” Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman said. “We have built a team for sustainable success and finding a way to improve around the edges has been our focus this offseason, and the addition of Lonzo represents part of that process. I would also like to thank Isaac Okoro for his professionalism, hard work, and the true grit he brought to the court during his five seasons in Cleveland. We wish Isaac and his family nothing but the best in the future.”
Lonzo Ball Brings Upside for Cavaliers
Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, has played in 287 games (253 starts) over six seasons with the Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Bulls. He holds career averages of 11.4 points, 5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.53 steals across 31.2 minutes per game. Ball has posted 37 double-doubles and eight triple-doubles during that span.
Since entering the league in 2017-18, Ball is one of only six NBA players to average at least 11.0 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. The group also includes Jimmy Butler, Dejounte Murray, James Harden, LaMelo Ball and Ben Simmons.
Ball earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in his first season after a standout collegiate year at UCLA, where he led the NCAA in assists.
Lonzo Ball Addresses Trade to Cavaliers
Ball missed more than two seasons due to a series of knee injuries but made steady progress in his recovery and returned to the court last season. The time away gave him a new perspective on his career, and he’s now eager for a fresh start in Cleveland.
“It’s just a blessing, to be honest,” Ball said on the “What an Experience” show. “Everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade. I’m like, I’m happy to still be playing anywhere, let alone a team that has a real chance to win a ring. My whole life I’ve been playing the right brand of basketball, and that’s to win games. I feel like I’m going to a great situation, and I just want to play my role and do what I can to help.”
Ball’s injury history is a legitimate concern, but the Cavaliers believe he’s worth the gamble. The Bulls inked Ball to a two-year, $20 million extension in February before the trade. The second year is a team option, giving the Cavs flexibility if injuries continue to be an issue.
Ball will have an opportunity to earn a significant role early. All-Star guard Darius Garland underwent surgery on his left big toe earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined for 4-5 months.
The Cavaliers also lost key backcourt depth in free agency. Ty Jerome, one of their top contributors off the bench last season, signed a three-year, $28 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
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