Cavs Announce Lonzo Ball Trade, Express Excitement Over His ‘Skillset’ And ‘Versatility’

We already knew it was coming, and now it’s official. The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired point guard Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls for wing Isaac Okoro, Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman announced in a statement.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to acquire someone with the skillset and versatility that Lonzo Ball brings to this team,” 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.”

Ball, who will wear No. 2 for the Cavaliers, also expressed excitement over the deal.

“Just playing, competing for a ring. I feel like that should be the goal, I feel like that is the goal,” Ball said, on the What an Experience podcast. “So, happy to get over there and get started. To meet everybody, get familiar with everything, and take it as far as we can.”

With Darius Garland (toe) injured and expected to miss the start of the season, and Ty Jerome signing with the Memphis Grizzlies, Ball could see a significant role right away.

That said, he played in just 35 games last season after hurting his wrist. He missed the two seasons before that with a mysterious knee injury. So this is a fresh start in more ways than one.

“I feel like it’s just a blessing, bro. To be honest, I mean, everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade,” he said. “I’m like, I’m happy to still be playing anywhere, let alone a team that has a real chance to win a ring.”

The Cavs finished 64-18 last season before falling to the Indiana Pacers in five games in the second round.

If Ball can stay on the court, he theoretically becomes the big guard who runs the point and isn’t bothered by the increased physicality of the playoffs.

ESPN and a few other outlets already have the Cavs pegged as Eastern Conference favorites.

“My whole life, I feel like I’ve been playing the right brand of basketball, and that’s to win games,” he said. “So 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 averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists this past season, shooting 36.6% from the field and 34.4% on 3-pointers.

Okoro appeared in 334 games (238 starts) for the Cavaliers over five seasons, averaging 8.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 26.2 minutes. He also appeared in 26 postseason games, starting nine of them.