The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly acquired Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls. Isaac Okoro is heading in the opposite direction. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the trade via X on Saturday, June 28.
“BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported.
Ball, 27, has struggled with injuries throughout his tenure with the Bulls. He missed two full years of basketball due to a knee injury. After returning to the rotation last season, he was limited to just 35 appearances due to a string of little injuries.
Nevertheless, if he can remain healthy, Ball will provide a significant punch off the Cavaliers’ bench. His presence would immediately improve the team’s perimeter defense and playmaking. He could lead the second unit or slot into a role next to Donovan Mitchell when required.
Ball recently signed a two-year $20 million contract extension with Chicago. He will earn $10 million next season, and the Cavaliers will hold a team option on the second year. Therefore, if things don’t work out with Ball, they can decline their team option and release him into the 2026 free agency pool.
Ball’s Addition Likely Means Goodbye for Ty Jerome
By acquiring Ball, the Cavaliers are likely admitting defeat in their desire to retain Ty Jerome. The veteran guard is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has earned a significant pay rise. Jerome finished third in the voting for the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year award, sitting behind Payton Pritchard and Malik Beasley.
Not only has Jerome earned a bigger salary, but if the Cavaliers had signed him to a new deal, he would have cost them a significant amount in luxury taxes. According to Yossi Gozlan, that figure could have reached $90 million in additional penalties.
Jerome had previously told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that he hoped to remain with the Cavaliers moving forward.
“I think I have an amazing situation here with a coaching staff that empowers me and a team that empowers me,” Jerome told HoopsHype. “Obviously, I’d love to be back. We’ve just got to see how it plays out.”
Okoro Was Seen as “Most Likely” to be Traded
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale predicted that Okoro could be the first member of Cleveland’s rotation to be shown the door.
“Isaac Okoro seems like the odd man out. Offloading his $11 million salary into some team’s non-taxpayer mid-level exception would also help slash Cleveland’s tax bill,” Favale wrote.
Okoro will fill an area of need for the Bulls and have the chance to assume a bigger role. Cleveland, however, is rolling the dice by adding Ball, as the veteran guard’s injury history means his addition comes with a risk.
Nevertheless, the Cavaliers have made a move that makes sense in terms of their cap constraints. If Ball stays healthy, he will make a significant impact. If not, they can always look to change course at the trade deadline. For now, though, Cleveland will likely feel pleased with their first trade of the summer.
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