Lonzo Ball eyes redemption with the Cleveland Cavaliers after Chicago Bulls exit

The Chicago Bulls stunned many in the National Basketball Association (NBA) world by recently trading point guard Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for forward Isaac Okoro.

This came as a surprise, considering that Ball was just entering the prime of his career and had agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension in February of this year. It was understood that he had put his injury issues behind him.

The 27-year-old recently appeared on the “What an Experience” podcast, where he opened up about his trade to Cleveland and expressed gratitude to “just be able to play” anywhere due to his long injury troubles.

“Just playing, competing for a ring — I feel like that should be the goal. I feel like that is the goal. [I’m] happy to get over there, get started, meet everybody, get familiar with everything, and take it as far as we can,” Ball said.

The Bulls’ decision to trade away a prized asset is understandable, given that Ball has missed two full seasons due to knee injuries and managed to play only 35 games last year following a long injury layoff.

Lonzo Ball on his opportunity with the Cavaliers:

“I feel like it’s just a blessing, bro. To be honest, I mean, everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade. I’m like, s***, I’m happy to still be playing anywhere, let alone a team that has a real chance to win a ring…… pic.twitter.com/S0JVTZuQXv

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 7, 2025

“It’s just a blessing, to be honest. Everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade. I’m like, I’m happy to still be playing anywhere — let alone with a team that has a real chance to win a ring. My whole life, I have been playing the right brand of basketball, and that’s to win games. I feel like I’m going to a great situation, and I just want to play my role and do what I can to help,” he added.

The Cavaliers do have flexibility when it comes to Ball’s contract should he not live up to expectations during the 2025–26 NBA season. As it stands, the guard has two years and $20 million remaining on his contract, with the second year being a team option, which Cleveland could decline if necessary.

Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Bulls last season across 35 appearances and 14 starts.

Selected as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball has also played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, and now the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018, though it should be noted that he peaked nearly five years ago.

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