The Cleveland Cavaliers are considered one of their favorites to win the 2026 NBA Championship.
After the second year in a row of early playoff exits, the Cleveland Cavaliers are under pressure to perform and do a deep playoff run. The Cavaliers have the most expensive core in the NBA.
One of the biggest moves Cleveland made in the offseason was to get a Lonzo ball from the Chicago Bulls.
This is a good gamble the Cavaliers are taking along with the ball. Ball owes just $20 million over the next two seasons.
Ball has suffered injuries throughout his career.
He missed more than two seasons due to a severe left knee injury that required multiple surgeries. He returned in 2024-25, but only played 35 games against Chicago.
But when the ball is healthy, he has the passing of elite court vision, a ridiculous transition, and he is a high-level defensive playmaker.
Brian Windhorst attended the NBA today, saying the Cavaliers were so impressed with the ball so far, and that they view him as their missing piece.
“I’m very pleased that Lonzo Ball hasn’t been injured and is really impressed with his new Cavs teammate and coaching staff.
“Kenny Atkinson raves this week for his leadership and basketball IQ, and he is already impressed with him.
“Darius Garland was expected to miss the start of the season to recover from toe surgery, so Lonzoball was able to play a bigger role on the court.
“The Cavs are watching this like the Jrue Holiday Move, like Alex Caruso’s move. The last two champions made that move just before the season.”
Ball seems excited to be with the Cavaliers as he becomes the team’s main backup point guard and leads the second unit.
He fits in the same kind of adhesive role reminiscent of Jrue Holiday’s Celtic Trade and Alex Caruso’s Thunder trade.
As Darius Garland heads for the bench, the ball keeps moving the attack, finding a crack in the defense on the other side.
He is also one of the best rebound guards in the NBA, dealing with the issues the Cavaliers had.
Additionally, the ability of the ball to enhance teammates can help your offense evolve to a whole new level.
If the Cavaliers can keep the ball healthy for the playoffs, he will be essential to them with their potential championship runs.