

Lonzo Ball is officially on the move-again. After two seasons on the sidelines, the 27-year-old guard made a solid return last season, showing flashes of his old two-way game. Now, he’s headed to the Cleveland Cavaliersin a deal that caught plenty of fans and insiders off guard.
The Bulls, who had been waiting years for Ball to get back on the floor, finally decided it was time to move on. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, they’re trading Ball to Cleveland for wing defender Isaac Okoro. No picks, no extra players-just a straight swap.
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At first glance, it might seem like a minor shuffle. But dig a little deeper, and it becomes clear this move could be the beginning of something much bigger in Cleveland.
A Trade That Could Crack the Cavs’ Core
With Lonzo’s contract on the books-$10 million per year through 2027-the Cavaliers now find themselves $8.9 million over the league’s second apron. That’s not just luxury tax territory-it’s deep financial quicksand.
Cleveland’s front office, already under pressure to manage a loaded cap sheet, might have to start offloading. Darius Garland’s $39.4 million salary stands out. So do Jarrett Allen’s $20M and De’Andre Hunter’s $23.3M. Even players like Max Strus and Dean Wade could be in the conversation.
Garland, once seen as the franchise’s long-term point guard, suddenly doesn’t feel so locked in. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently hinted the Cavs had been considering adjustments in the backcourt. With Ball in town-and offering a similar playmaking skillset-that chatter is only going to get louder.
Meanwhile, the Bulls quietly come out of this looking savvy. They shed a longer contract, add a strong perimeter defender in Okoro on an expiring $11M deal, and open up some cap flexibility heading into a pivotal year.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, just added an intriguing talent-but they may have also lit the fuse on a much bigger shakeup. This could just be the first move in a summer full of tough decisions.
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