...
By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
NBA insider Shams Charania predicted the NBA offseason would be wild, and that has already been proven true by the latest trade. The Chicago Bulls are sending Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro in a blockbuster player swap.
More news: Pacers Linked to Former No 1 Pick in NBA Free Agency
Read More on NBA
Ball now joins the fourth team in his career, while Okoro gets a new start with Chicago after spending the last five seasons with the Cavaliers.
...
More news: Naz Reid Inks Huge $125 Million Contract With Timberwolves
Ball has had quite the journey in his NBA career, especially coming back from an injury that took him out for an entire season.
Early in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Ball suffered shoulder and ankle injuries, along with a torn meniscus, in the first two seasons of his young career.
Ball was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and experienced his healthiest seasons between 2019 and 2020, averaging 13.1 points, 6.4 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
Despite having two healthy years, Ball would then be traded to the Chicago Bears. He suffered another meniscus tear in 2020, leading to his missing the remainder of the season.
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Ball underwent arthroscopic debridement, which led to his missing an entire season after it ws reported that he was facing discomfort during basketball activities.
It would take Ball some time to recover and return to activities, but he did so at the end of 2024. In October, he began to play regularly in games, and in January 2025, he started in his first three games in a long while.
Ball ended the 2024-25 season averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Okoro has spent the entirety of his career with the Cavaliers as a small forward. His rookie season in 2020 was his most successful, as he averaged 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.4 blocks per game.
Okoro has maintained a similar stat line throughout his entire young career, apart from the 2024 season. His production slipped a little, as he ended the 2024 season averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
As it stands currently, the trade appears to be very even. Ball is coming off some serious injuries, but he maintained his health through the back end of the 2024-25 season. Okoro may have slipped in production, but he can still be a valuable piece for the Bulls.
For more on the NBA, head to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines