CLEVELAND, Ohio — Social media woke up in a frenzy Saturday because the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball.
Ball played 35 games this season after being sidelined with knee injuries for more than two years. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, and signed a two-year, $20 million extension with the Bulls in February after hearing his name in trade deadline rumors.
Okoro, meanwhile, has seen his role with the Cavs shrink in each of the last few seasons. He averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 55 games this season after agreeing to a three-year, $38 million extension with the Cavaliers in September.
From people scratching their head at the Bulls’ decision to celebrating Lonzo Ball landing in Cleveland social media had plenty to say about Saturday’s trade.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor on X: The Bulls are hilarious. Could’ve got a first round pick for Lonzo Ball at the trade deadline. Instead they end up with a rotation guy who was awful in the playoffs
Bears Film Room podcast host Dave on X: DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, and now Lonzo Ball have all been traded—and the Bulls didn’t get a single draft pick in return.
What an absolute joke of a franchise.
@big_business_ on X: Lonzo Ball is only worth Isaac Okoro?? Good pickup by the Cavs.
Pick a Side podcast host Joel Moran on X: The Cavaliers really got Lonzo Ball and all they needed to trade was Isaac Okoro.
That trade doesn’t even work in 2k.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on X: If he can stay healthy, Lonzo Ball will be such a perfect fit for the Cavaliers. Has become a good shooter, is an incredible connector and a strong defender. Would fit in just about any lineup combination for them.
Villain Arc on X: Lonzo Ball is going unlock Evan Mobley…. He’s not going to look to take shots away from him but look to get him MORE shots….
Daniel Coltun on X: Really glad that the Chicago Bulls turned down a 1st round pick for Lonzo Ball back in February just to trade him for Isaac Okoro - who no one else wanted.
7p.m. in Brooklyn’s Kazeem Famuyide on X: We really NBA millennials because we all believe in Lonzo Ball getting right lol.
SB Nation’s Colb on X: Evan Mobley getting passes from Lonzo Ball now omg another leap coming.
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn on X: Trading with the Chicago Bulls is a totally illogical exercise. So many teams could have made a better offer for Lonzo Ball than Isaac Okoro. You just have to hope that you have a young-ish player they irrationally like.
@KiethSmithNBA on X: I would say acquiring Lonzo Ball signals that Ty Jerome’s time in Cleveland has come to an end.
OG Anunoby Addict on X: Koby Altman turned a the worst player in the association into Lonzo Ball and all Leon Rose did was trade down one spot in the draft
@IsaacOkoroFan on X: If Lonzo Ball stays healthy, the Cavs absolutely robbed the Bulls. He’s an elite defender, can handle the ball, is extremely athletic, and has a jumper. He’d instantly vault into 6MOY conversations.
Josh Eberley on X: Lonzo played fewer minutes the last three years than Jalen Williams played this year in the playoffs. Timeline has a lot of faith Ball’s health is now on track.
@Sxpreme_WRLD on X: The Bulls trading Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro (pic)
Cavaliers Nation on X: LONZO BALL, WELCOME TO CLEVELAND!
CHGO Bulls on X: .@Bulls_Peck gets REAL about the Lonzo Ball trade:
“They have now, over the past year and change, traded Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, Demar DeRozen and Lonzo Ball. In exchange for those FOUR players, ONE draft pick.”
@bdrip1k on X: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball era for the Bulls amounted to only one playoff win and all of this
Underdog NBA on X: Notable Bulls trades/returns since June 2024:
Traded: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball
Received: Josh Giddey, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Isaac Okoro, Tre Jones, Chris Duarte, own first-round pick, 2 second-round picks, cash considerations
Ingram Alerts on X: A healthy Lonzo Ball is a perfect fit on all 30 teams