̾C̾h̾i̾c̾a̾g̾o̾ ̾B̾u̾l̾l̾s̾ ̾A̾c̾q̾u̾i̾r̾e̾ ̾I̾s̾a̾a̾c̾ ̾O̾k̾o̾r̾o̾ ̾(̾$̾1̾1̾.̾8̾3̾M̾ ̾S̾a̾l̾a̾r̾y̾ ̾f̾o̾r̾ ̾2̾0̾2̾5̾–̾2̾6̾)̾ ̾i̾n̾ ̾S̾w̾a̾p̾ ̾f̾o̾r̾ ̾L̾o̾n̾z̾o̾ ̾B̾a̾l̾l̾

̾C̾h̾i̾c̾a̾g̾o̾ ̾B̾u̾l̾l̾s̾ ̾A̾c̾q̾u̾i̾r̾e̾ ̾I̾s̾a̾a̾c̾ ̾O̾k̾o̾r̾o̾ ̾(̾$̾1̾1̾.̾8̾3̾M̾ ̾S̾a̾l̾a̾r̾y̾ ̾f̾o̾r̾ ̾2̾0̾2̾5̾–̾2̾6̾)̾ ̾i̾n̾ ̾S̾w̾a̾p̾ ̾f̾o̾r̾ ̾L̾o̾n̾z̾o̾ ̾B̾a̾l̾l̾

In a move that signals both teams are sliding pieces into position for the upcoming season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to trade swingman Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for veteran guard Lonzo Ball. The deal was first reported on June 28 by ESPN’s Shams Charania and is expected to become official when the new NBA league year begins on July 6, 2025 .

 

 

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📌 The Essentials of the Deal

 

Trade terms: One-for-one player exchange—Okoro to Chicago; Ball to Cleveland. No draft picks or additional assets involved .

 

Seven‑figure contracts: Ball is on a two-year, $20 million deal (with a 2026‑27 team option). Okoro carries two years remaining, costing roughly $22.8 million .

 

Trade official date: Expected activation on July 6, 2025, when the new league year begins .

 

 

 

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🔄 Why Cleveland Made the Move

 

The Cavaliers, fresh off a 64-win season and a second-round playoff exit, targeted backcourt reinforcements after early postseason struggles :

 

Depth at point guard: With Darius Garland recovering from toe surgery and Ty Jerome likely to leave in free agency, Cleveland needed a veteran facilitator .

 

Elite defense and playmaking: Ball, standing 6’6″, brings size, defensive acumen, and strong court vision—qualities Coach Donovan & GM Koby Altman value .

 

Cap flexibility: Trading down to Ball’s cheaper, shorter deal gives the Cavs wiggle room—just $8.9 million over the second apron, with a team option for 2026‑27 .

 

 

 

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🔄 What Chicago Gets in Okoro

 

The Bulls welcome a young, defensive-minded wing with untapped offensive upside as they rebuild :