Lonzo Ball’s Struggles in Cleveland Offer Rare Validation for the Bulls’ Front Office
For a franchise that’s been stuck in NBA purgatory for years, the Chicago Bulls haven’t had many opportunities to say, “We got that one right.” But two months into the season, their decision to trade Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers is starting to look like one of them.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a blockbuster deal. The Bulls swapped Ball for Isaac Okoro, a defensive-minded wing with shooting limitations and a contract that raised a few eyebrows.
At the time, it felt like another move in a long line of head-scratchers from a front office that’s often been accused of chasing the middle. After all, Okoro’s offensive game hasn’t exactly inspired confidence, and the Bulls didn’t add any draft capital in the deal.
On paper, it looked like they’d handed Cleveland a potential X-factor for a playoff run.
But fast forward to mid-December, and the narrative has shifted. Ball, once hailed as a floor general with elite vision and defensive chops, has stumbled badly out of the gate in Cleveland. And while Okoro hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in Chicago, the Bulls’ bet on Ball’s decline is looking more like foresight than failure.
Lonzo’s Return Hits a Wall
First, let’s acknowledge the human element here. The fact that Lonzo Ball is even on an NBA court right now is impressive.
After a brutal stretch of injuries that sidelined him for the better part of two seasons, his return was a feel-good story. And for a moment last year, it looked like he might be able to recapture some of the magic - not the All-Star-level impact he once hinted at, but enough to be a valuable piece on a contending team.
That’s what Cleveland was banking on. With Ball under contract for just $10 million per year through next season, the Cavs saw a low-risk opportunity to plug multiple holes at once.
They needed someone who could bring wing defense with some offensive playmaking - essentially, a hybrid of what Isaac Okoro and Ty Jerome had provided in spurts. Ball seemed like the perfect fit.
Instead, he’s been a liability.
Through 19 games, Ball is averaging 23.6 minutes per night - roughly in line with last season - but his production has cratered. He’s shooting just 28.6% from the field and a chilly 26.3% from beyond the arc.
He’s not getting to the line, and he’s not creating enough offense to justify the minutes. Right now, he’s dragging down the Cavaliers’ offense more than he’s helping it.
On defense, Ball still has value. He’s smart, he communicates well, and he can still make plays within a team scheme.
But his athleticism isn’t what it once was. The lateral quickness that made him such a versatile on-ball defender has diminished, and his steal and block rates are down.
He’s solid - but to offset his offensive struggles, he’d need to be elite on that end. He hasn’t been.
A Rare Win for the Bulls?
Let’s not pretend the Bulls fleeced anyone. Okoro hasn’t exactly lit it up in Chicago.
His offensive game is still a work in progress, and his fit within the Bulls’ ecosystem is far from seamless. But what Chicago did do - and this is no small thing - is recognize the timing.
They saw Ball’s value at its peak and made a calculated move to get off his contract before things potentially got worse.
And so far, that’s exactly what’s happened.
The Bulls are still stuck in their familiar lane - hovering around .500, projected to win about 34 games, and sitting on the edge of the Play-In Tournament picture. They’re not contending, and they’re not tanking.
It’s the same treadmill they’ve been on for years. But in a season where wins are hard to come by, especially in the front office, this trade looks like a small but meaningful victory.
What Comes Next?
There’s still time for Ball to find his rhythm. The season is long, and sometimes it takes time for a player coming off major injuries to settle into a new role.
But the early returns haven’t been encouraging, and the concern isn’t just about performance - it’s about durability. The fear coming into the year was that Ball’s best stretch might come early, before the wear and tear of the season caught up with him again.
That concern is starting to feel justified.
For the Bulls, this wasn’t about winning the trade outright. It was about making a smart, forward-looking decision in a landscape where they’ve often been reactive.
They didn’t gain a star, but they avoided a deeper loss. And in Chicago, that’s progress.
So no, the Bulls aren’t suddenly contenders. But they made a tough call on a fan favorite and, for once, it looks like they got it right. In a season full of questions, that’s one answer they’ll gladly take.