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yesterday

Bulls Trade Lonzo Ball to Cavaliers in Straight-Up Swap for Isaac Okoro

Chicago’s straight-up trade of Ball for Okoro underscores its youth-focused rebuild; Cleveland gains a versatile guard under tight salary-cap constraints

Feb 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball smiles after making a 3-point shot during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center on Jan. 11, 2022, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The deal becomes official at the start of the 2025-26 league year on July 6 and sends Ball’s $10 million salary and a 2026-27 team option to Cleveland in exchange for Okoro’s $11 million cap hit in year two of his three-year deal.
  • Chicago views 24-year-old Okoro as a younger wing who can bolster its rotation and sustain the franchise’s youth rebuild aimed at future contention.
  • Cleveland adds Ball’s playmaking size and defensive versatility to address Ty Jerome’s impending free agency and cover for Darius Garland’s offseason foot surgery.
  • Ball, whose eight-year career includes two missed seasons after a 2023 knee cartilage transplant, averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 35 games last season.
  • Okoro averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 37 percent three-point shooting in 2024-25, offering Chicago perimeter defense and cost-controlled depth.