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CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a deal to trade for guard Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for forward Isaac Okoro, as reported by a source familiar with the transaction.
The source, who requested to remain anonymous due to the pending nature of the deal, spoke with The Associated Press on Saturday. The trade is not set to be finalized until the official start of the new league year on July 6.
During the past season, Ball played in 35 games, posting averages of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He had previously missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to a left knee injury. The 27-year-old underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant in March 2023 after two unsuccessful surgeries aimed at addressing an injury he sustained during his initial season in Chicago in 2021-22.
Once selected as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 draft, Ball also missed the concluding two months of the last season due to a sprained right wrist. He has one year remaining on his contract along with a team option for the 2026-27 season.
The Cavaliers are seeking a point guard solution as Ty Jerome becomes an unrestricted free agent, and Darius Garland is anticipated to miss the beginning of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his left big toe earlier this month.
Finishing the season with the second-best record in the NBA at 64-18, Cleveland suffered elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in just five games.
Okoro, who averaged 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds last season, is recognized as a strong defensive player and capable of shooting from beyond the arc. However, he experienced a decline in his playing time as the season progressed, averaging just 14.2 minutes in the playoffs compared to 19.1 minutes per game during the regular season.
Okoro has two years left on his contract.
