NBA Trade Level: Cavaliers to Get Lonzo Ball from Bulls – Basketball Insider
The Cleveland Cavaliers will acquire Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Isaac Okoro. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported.
The move improves the Cavaliers’ defensive versatility, while the Bulls have at least gained more reliable players in terms of health.
According to ESPN, the Cavaliers have considered buying the ball before the trade deadline. In Ball backcourt, Cleveland made a significant move in addressing their defender position. Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome are small guards, and the Indiana Pacers revealed this in the playoffs.
Obviously, this is enough to make the Cavaliers feel the best to ride the ball. The move, coupled with the re-signed Sam Merrill, actually ensured Jerome’s departure.
Ball is a 6-foot-6 guard who averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 35 games last season. Since early March, he missed a sprained right wrist.
The 27-year-old missed the entire left knee of the previous two seasons.
The Knight shows no sign of panic
The 64-win Cavaliers met a lot of criticism in the second round of the game against the Indiana Pacers.
They don’t seem to need to destroy the core, but stay firm and tinker. The size of the backcourt is a clear weakness and has been addressed.
Additionally, Cleveland is about $12 million from the second apron, so Ball’s contract becomes easier to manage.
There is no doubt how the Cavaliers use the ball in the regular season. The goal is to put him in the best physical condition in the playoffs. When healthy, he will provide the team with excellent perimeter defense, three-point shooting percentage and some balls.
Of course, Ball’s injury history is at risk.
For the Cavaliers, this makes more sense due to the way the Oriental dynamics change. Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard’s ruptured Achilles make the Cavaliers an Eastern Conference favorite next season.
Their biggest games will be the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic. The Philadelphia 76ers will be a wildcard due to Joel Embiid’s health.
grade:b+
Bulls strangely failed to get draft pick again
Chicago was unable to get a draft pick when trading Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, the Bulls can’t make sure they play.
You have to doubt why that is. Okoro will be a backup for Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, but there are few signs of further growth. Ball’s injury history always limits his trade value.
But, like the Thunder a year ago, when a team seeks to acquire players who have the potential to hump them, there must be a way to take a stronger stance in the return.
grade: c-
