Bulls Signal Subtle Shift With Isaac Okoro Trade

The Chicago Bulls are looking for players who can’t be hunted on defense. Isaac Okoro fits that mold.

Chicago acquired the defensive-minded wing from the Cavaliers in exchange for Lonzo Ball, a move that may not grab headlines but could quietly reshape the Bulls’ approach.

A source confirmed the trade Saturday, just days after the Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times reported the Bulls were shopping both Ball and Coby White.

Okoro, 23, has started 238 of 334 NBA games and was drafted fifth overall by Cleveland in 2020 — one pick after the Bulls selected Patrick Williams.

While Okoro has yet to live up to top-five expectations, his calling card has always been perimeter defense, and he’s coming off his best shooting season (39.1% from deep).

“He’s the kind of player who lets you set a tone,” one league source said. “He’ll guard the other team’s best guy. He’s not flashy, but he’s available and accountable.”

Availability is no small thing in Chicago’s eyes. Ball has missed the equivalent of three full seasons due to knee and wrist injuries and played just 35 games last year. While still a respected defender, Ball hasn’t been a reliable piece since early 2022.

Bulls general manager Marc Eversley made it clear earlier this week that the Bulls are shifting priorities, focusing less on name recognition and more on functionality, particularly on the defensive end.

“What I take away from Indiana is their style of play,” Eversley said, referring to the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals. “They continue to come at you. They play fast.

“They’ve got a bunch of players that can play on both sides of the floor. That’s what we want to build here — versatile players who can defend, run, and make shots.”

When asked if his current roster met that description, Eversley didn’t offer specifics, but the backcourt of Ball and Josh Giddey has been viewed as vulnerable defensively.

Giddey is expected to land a $30 million per year extension, and if White stays, wing defense becomes even more of a priority.

Okoro helps patch that hole. And while he doesn’t come with draft picks or cap relief, his contract is manageable, $11 million this season and $11.8 million guaranteed in 2026-27. Ball, by contrast, will earn $10 million next year with a team option the following season.

The move doesn’t give the Bulls a clean financial slate in 2026, but it’s not restrictive, either.

Perhaps more important: it gives Chicago the flexibility to keep shopping Patrick Williams, whose disappointing production and contract have made him tough to move. But this summer’s trade market is wide open, and the Bulls remain active.

In the short term, Okoro likely slots in as a starter or first wing off the bench behind rookie Matas Buzelis. His presence also relieves pressure on 18-year-old Noa Essengue, who will need time to develop into a full-time NBA wing.

“We’ve established a style of play offensively,” Eversley said. “The next step is figuring out who we are defensively and how we can improve.”

Adding Okoro doesn’t answer every question. But it may be the clearest sign yet of what kind of team the Bulls want to become.