Recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers raised eyebrows by trading small forward Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for point guard Lonzo Ball. The move gives the Cavs another player who can handle the ball, as well as a capable spot-up shooter and elite defender who can fit in a wide variety of lineups.
Recently, Cavs general manager Koby Altman released a statement in the wake of the move.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to acquire someone with the skillset and versatility that Lonzo Ball brings to this team,” read the statement, per Spencer Davies of Sports Illustrated on X, formerly Twitter. “We have built a team for sustainable success and finding a way to improve around the edges has been our focus this offseason, and the addition of Lonzo represents part of that process.”
Altman also made sure to shout out Okoro for his time with the Cs.
I would also like to thank Isaac Okoro for his professionalism, hard work, and the true grit he brought to the court during his five seasons in Cleveland. We wish Isaac and his family nothing but the best in the future,” the statement continued.
A big move for the Cavs
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Backcourt defense was certainly an issue for the Cavs during their shocking playoff flameout vs the Indiana Pacers this past spring. The Cavs were mostly powerless trying to stay in front of Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton and some of his Pacers teammates, and Lonzo Ball should give the team a much-needed boost in that department.
Okoro was long thought to be a coveted member of the Cavs’ young core that the team had been constructing; however, his production had more or less plateaued in recent years, making the decision to trade him a less difficult pill to swallow.
The Cavs enter the 2025-26 season as one of the favorites to raise the Eastern Conference trophy, especially considering the current injury-riddled state of the conference. With Ball now in a Cavs uniform, Cleveland may not ever get a better chance than this to break through in the post-LeBron James era.
