Bulls and Cavaliers Close to Surprise Swap: What Lonzo Ball’s Move Means for Both Teams

Ball was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent two seasons there before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019. Two years later, he was on the move again, this time as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls that saw Ball sign a four-year, million extension.

The Chicago Bulls are trading Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.Like Ball, Okoro recently signed an extension after agreeing to a three-year, million pact with the Cavaliers in September.

Okoro, 25, has played five seasons in the NBA, all in Cleveland. In 55 games this past season he averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in just over 19 minutes of floor time.Advertisement

Knee injuries sidelined Ball for two-and-a-half seasons while with Chicago. He returned in October 2024 and played 35 games this past season, averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. In February, Ball agreed to a two-year, million contract extension after his name was a topic of speculation in the lead-up to the NBA trade deadline.The Chicago Bulls have just pulled off a notable roster shakeup, sending Lonzo Ball packing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Isaac Okoro — a move that’s already stirring the pot among NBA insiders and fans alike. Ball’s been battling knee setbacks that benchmarked him for over two years with the Bulls, but he made a commendable return last October, stepping back onto the hardwood and putting up respectable numbers across 35 games. Fresh off a fresh two-year, million deal that sparked chatter everywhere, Ball’s journey has definitely kept us guessing. Meanwhile, Okoro, the 25-year-old Cavs veteran, arrives with five seasons under his belt and a recent three-year, million extension that speaks volumes about Cleveland’s faith in him. The trade isn’t just a swap of players; it’s a pivot point in both teams’ strategies moving forward — and I for one can’t wait to see how the pieces fall. LEARN MORE.