The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired the Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls for Isaac Okoro in the offseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers hope Lonzo Ball stays healthy and becomes an important piece for them during a potential playoff run.
Darius Garland is set to miss out on time to start the 82-game regular season after undergoing toe surgery this offseason.
It is unclear whether the ball will start for Garland in his absence, but he will definitely need to get an extension.
Ball averaged 5.8 assists per game during his career. This will help the Cavaliers float without a garland.
The ball also gives the Cavaliers a dynamic, two-way presence. He improves their perimeter defense, keeps the attack flowing, and he is a reliable playmaker.
The ball could be a move for Cavaliers Alex Caruso in terms of helping them get past the hump in the playoffs.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has been impressed with the ball so far and said it can fit into any system.
“He wasn’t disappointed, it’s everything we thought we were getting.
“IQ stands out, and it’s a big thing that stands out.
“It was a subtle thing. He had set up some inverted screens for Evan (Mobley) today. Just the angle of the screen, he has a great, great feeling when flipping the screen over, he adds.
“And defensively, he’s in the space early, he stole from nowhere and it’s like he’s done his whole career.
“I’m excited to coach an NBA player, but this is the guy I’ve been watching for a long time. I think he’s kind of the ultimate system fit.”
The Cavaliers won 64 games last season and were the No. 1 seed heading into the 2025 NBA playoffs.
They were expected to go deep running and challenge for the championship, but they ran into the Indiana Pacers in the second round and eliminated them in five games.
The Cavaliers enter this season as one of their Eastern Conference favourites. There is a lot of pressure on Garland’s Core 4, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
If the Cavaliers have another short-lived postseason run, they could head towards some major changes.