INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Lonzo Ball does not have to fret about rehabbing from a knee damage for the primary time in a few seasons.
As an alternative, the veteran guard will use the offseason to get acclimated to a brand new group.
Ball was on the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ follow complicated assembly with the medical workers and coaches on Monday after his commerce from the Chicago Bulls for ahead Isaac Okoro was finalized on Sunday.
Chicago and Cleveland agreed to the commerce on June 28, but it surely did not change into official till the beginning of the brand new league yr on Sunday.
“I feel it is an incredible scenario for my play fashion,” Ball stated. “Don [Donovan Mitchell] is among the greatest gamers we now have within the league. They usually have two bigs which can be cellular, can set pick-and-rolls and get to the rim like that. After which do some switching on protection.
“I feel we are able to do numerous various things on either side of the ball, and to have the choice to have the ability to do these issues is nice.”
Ball averaged 7.6 factors, 3.4 rebounds and three.3 assists in 35 video games this previous season after lacking the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns due to a left knee damage. The 27-year previous Ball underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant in his left knee in March 2023 after two surgical procedures failed to repair an damage he suffered throughout his first season in Chicago in 2021-22.
He missed the final two months of the season due to a sprained proper wrist however was inspired by the way in which his knee held up all through the season.
“After the video games I did not actually know what to anticipate. However, you realize, after I first received again versus Minnesota in that preseason recreation, I used to be type of shocked that I used to be transferring round,” Ball stated. “I really feel like I simply received higher because the yr went on. Sadly, I needed to take care of my wrist, however so far as my knee was involved, it was fairly good.”
Ball, the second decide by the Los Angeles Lakers within the 2017 draft, has one yr remaining on his contract with a group possibility for the 2026-27 season.
Cleveland had a necessity at level guard after Ty Jerome signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. Starter Darius Garland is more likely to miss the beginning of the common season after present process surgical procedure on his left massive toe final month.
The Cavaliers had the second-best report within the NBA at 64-18 however had been eradicated within the Japanese Convention semifinals by the Indiana Pacers in 5 video games.
Ball has but to participate in a playoff recreation within the six seasons he has performed, which is one thing he’s hoping will change.
“Once you begin in September or October you possibly can’t look too far forward. However they had been No. 1 within the East final yr, so everyone is aware of that. It is just about ring or nothing,” he stated. “It is simply ensuring I am ready to be as accessible as potential and put myself in one of the best place to complete the season sturdy.
“Proper now, it is extra so simply being within the weight room ensuring my decrease physique is nice and stuff like that.”