"Former Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has fallen mightily since he inked a four-year, $80 million deal to anchor the 2021-22 Bulls' perimeter defense. He signed a two-season, $20 million extension after making a triumphant return from a two-and-a-half-year, triple-surgery absence at the end of 2024-25. Chicago promptly traded him to the contending Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for 3-and-D shooting guard/small forward Isaac Okoro."
"Ball's unhappy tenure in Cleveland is now over. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Cavaliers are offloading the 6-foot-6 UCLA product's $10 million contract plus two second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz in a salary dump. Utah is anticipated to cut Ball. Provided he clears waivers, he'll be free to sign anywhere as a free agent. The Atlanta Hawks are also acquiring reserve center Jock Landale from Utah for cash considerations, Charania reports."
"Ball, far past his prime following three successive surgeries on the same knee, used to be an above-average 3-and-D point guard. By the time he landed with the Cavs, who were fresh off a 64-win season, he was expected to provide those services (plus unreal passing) in a limited reserve role. His body limited him from even achieving that."
Lonzo Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Bulls and later a two-year, $20 million extension after returning from multiple knee surgeries. Chicago traded him to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro. Cleveland is sending Ball's $10 million contract and two second-round picks to Utah in a salary dump; Utah is expected to waive him, making him a free agent if he clears waivers. The Hawks are acquiring Jock Landale from Utah for cash. Ball posted a career-worst 4.6 points on .301/.272/.667 shooting across 35 games, showing decline after surgeries, and Cleveland edged closer to falling under the second luxury-tax apron by about $3.8 million.
Read at Bleacher Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]