The Cavaliers announced a slew of previously reported moves July 6, when NBA trades and signings were permitted with the official opening of free agency.
Here are the deals the Cavs announced:
Lonzo Ball trade: Deal sending Isaac Okoro from Cleveland Cavaliers to Chicago Bulls is finalized
The Cavs reached an agreement June 28 to trade small forward Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for point guard Lonzo Ball. The trade has been finalized.
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Analysis: For the Cavs, the logic is easy to see, but this is also risky because of Ball’s injury history. The Cavs let backup point guard Ty Jerome walk in free agency, and starting point guard Darius Garland will likely miss the beginning of the 2025-26 regular season after undergoing surgery June 9 on his left big toe. On paper, Ball fills a void. Plus, he is a great passer, and a formidable defender. However, he has been limited to 70 games the past four seasons combined primarily due to knee issues and a sprained wrist. He played 35 games last season, sat out back-to-back seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) and played 35 games in the 2021-22 season.
What the Cavs are saying: “We are very excited about this opportunity to acquire someone with the skillset and versatility that Lonzo Ball brings to this team. We have built a team for sustainable success and finding a way to improve around the edges has been our focus this offseason, and the addition of Lonzo represents part of that process. I would also like to thank Isaac Okoro for his professionalism, hard work, and the true grit he brought to the court during his five seasons in Cleveland. We wish Isaac and his family nothing but the best in the future.” — Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman
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Hawks forward Larry Nance Jr. shown on the court before the game against the Chicago Bulls, Nov. 9, 2024, in Atlanta.
Larry Nance Jr. contract: Cavs sign Revere High School graduate
The Cavs struck a deal July 1 to re-sign Larry Nance Jr. A Revere High School graduate and the eldest son of Cavs legend Larry Nance Sr., Nance Jr. has signed the contract.
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Analysis: Nance signed a one-year deal on the veteran minimum, $3.6 million, per spotrac. It’s a worthwhile investment in a high-character leader who has versatility on the court and strong ties to Cleveland. Starting power forward Evan Mobley is essentially the backup to starting center Jarrett Allen, but now the Cavs have Nance available to come off the bench and supplement at either spot. This could foreshadow the end of center Tristan Thompson’s second tour with the Cavs. Nance previously played for the Cavs from 2018-21. Like Ball, Nance is trying to prove he can stay healthy. A right medial femoral condyle fracture ended his 2024-25 season with the Atlanta Hawks.
Cavs news: Cavaliers sign rookie draft pick Tyrese Proctor to long-term contract
Feb 10, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and guard Sam Merrill (5) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
What is Sam Merrill’s salary? Cavs re-sign backup guard
The Cavs and reserve shooting guard Sam Merrill agreed June 28 to a new four-year contract worth $38 million. Merrill, who had been scheduled for unrestricted free agency, has re-signed with Cleveland.
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Analysis: This move and others the Cavs made are about trust. The Cavs trusted Merrill in the playoffs, increasing his average minutes (19.7 to 19.9) amid injuries to Garland and wing De’Andre Hunter. They covet the gravity his 3-point shooting creates on offense, his ability to cut and his underrated defense. Conversely, the Cavs didn’t trust Okoro in the playoffs because of his limitations on offense. They reduced his minutes in the postseason (19.1 to 14.2) and later traded him to the Bulls. And as the Cavs stumbled against the Indiana Pacers en route to a 4-1 series defeat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they also concluded they could no longer count on Jerome, who struggled mightily in the second round and ultimately landed with the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency (three years, $28 million).
Have the Cavs gotten better in NBA free agency in 2025?
So far, Cavs free agency looks like this …
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Losing: Jerome and Okoro
Gaining: Ball and Nance
Retaining: Merrill
Projected as a second-apron team, the Cavs don’t have much financial flexibility. Still, everyone wants to know whether they have gotten better in free agency.
The verdict hinges largely on this question: Will 2025-26 be the season in which Ball makes a comeback and can stay on the floor when it matters most, meaning throughout the playoffs?
If the answer is yes, the Cavs have likely gotten better. If the answer is no, the opposite will probably be true, and Cleveland could regret letting Jerome leave after he overcame an injury history of his own to finish third in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting.
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Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On social media: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs announce Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr., Sam Merrill deals