After making some notable roster moves last season, it's been a rather quiet offseason for the Chicago Bulls. That said, they have made some alterations this summer. Arguably their biggest swing was parting with Lonzo Ball in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former No. 2 pick first joined the Bulls in 2021 and proved to be a drastic upgrade to their roster. However, injuries ended up completely derailing his tenure in Chicago. Ball ended up missing two full seasons due to knee complications before making his return last year. He'd go on to appear in 35 games for the Bulls, averaging 7.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 3.3 APG in a limited role.
Earlier this month, Chicago decided to end their experiment with Ball. He was dealt to the Cavs in exchange for forward Isaac Okoro. In a recent column for NBA.com, Brian Martin listed the trade among the top under-the-radar moves of this offseason.
Ball returned to the court last season after missing the previous two seasons with a left knee injury that required multiple surgeries to repair. In 35 games, Ball showed flashes of the playmaking, shooting and defense while averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 3-pointers made and 1.3 steals in 22.2 minutes per game before missing the season’s final two months with a sprained wrist. Ball’s return to the court after missing over 1,000 days was a triumph in and of itself. Now, he has an opportunity to continue working his way back to his full potential on a title contender.
Health is still a big concern, but Ball has an opportunity to be an X-factor for the Cavaliers as they look to contender in the Eastern Conference. Ty Jermoe had a career year as their sixth man, and now the veteran PG will be slotting into the role. Armed with a similar all-around skill set, he is by far the most interesting piece of Cleveland's supporting cast.
If he's able to stay on the floor consistently, Ball provides not only high-level two-way play but lineup versatility as well. His ability to play alongside just about any player gives the Cavs endless possibilities when it comes to player combinations on the floor.