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[Saba Sports News] Lonzo Ball has rebuilt his value enough that a top playoff contender is making a move for him.
The Chicago Bulls are trading Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per Shams Charania of ESPN. In return, the Bulls will receive forward Isaac Okoro.
The move comes as a surprise, especially since the Bulls signed Ball to a two-year extension back in February. At the time, despite rumors connecting him to multiple playoff teams, Chicago appeared committed to keeping him.
After a long recovery from multiple knee surgeries, Ball returned to action last season and proved he could still contribute. In 35 games, he averaged 7.6 points and 3.3 assists over 22.2 minutes per game. While injury concerns still linger, Ball remains a valuable asset when healthy.
The Cavaliers finished as the No. 1 seed in the East last season but suffered a disappointing early playoff exit. Acquiring Ball could be the first of several moves as Cleveland looks to take the next step toward serious title contention.