Lonzo Ball Says ‘It’s Pretty Much Ring Or Nothing’ For Cavaliers Next NBA Season

Lonzo Ball has never played in a postseason game in the NBA. 

He’s hoping that changes next season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

“We should all be focused on getting to a ring,” Ball said on Monday. “But we all know that June’s a long time when you start in September, October. So you can’t look too far ahead. [The Cavs] were [the No. 1 seed] in the East last year, so everybody knows that it’s pretty much ring or nothing.”

Ball is right. The Cavaliers were the number one seed in the East last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs and looked like a legitimate title contender. 

However, Cleveland lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five games. The franchise hasn’t advanced past the conference semifinals since 2018. 

The Cavaliers traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls to get Ball, who is really excited to play for Cleveland. 

“I couldn’t ask for nothing better than this,” Ball said. “I think it’s a great situation for my play style. I play basketball the same way no matter what team I’m on. I’m gonna go out there, defend, push the pace, shoot the shots that are open and live with the results.”

Ball, who will make $10 million next season, appeared in 35 games last season for the Bulls after missing two years in a row with a serious knee injury. The UCLA product averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 36.6% overall, 34.4% from beyond the arc and 81.5% from the foul line. 

A talented passer and defender, Ball turns 28 in October. He has career NBA averages of 11.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Bulls. 

“Basketball is all about winning to me,” Ball said. “So you can’t win without getting to the playoffs. I’ve been on a couple teams that have been to the playoffs. You know, obviously, I couldn’t get out there and run with the guys, but hopefully [I will] this year. I have high hopes and the sky’s the limit.”