The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls for Isaac Okoro in the offseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping Lonzo Ball can stay healthy and be an important piece for them during a potential playoff run.
Darius Garland is set to miss some time to begin the 82-game regular season after he underwent toe surgery this offseason.
It’s unclear if Ball will start for Garland during his absence, but he should definitely get extended minutes.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesKenny Atkinson says Lonzo Ball’s ‘IQ stands out’ and he is the ‘ultimate system fit’
Ball has averaged 5.8 assists per game during his career, which will help the Cavaliers stay afloat without Garland.
Ball will also give the Cavaliers a dynamic two-way presence. He will improve their perimeter defense, keep the offense flowing and he is a reliable playmaker.
Ball can be the Cavaliers’ Alex Caruso move, in terms of helping them get over the hump in the playoffs.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has been impressed with Ball so far and said he can fit in any system.
“He hasn’t disappointed. It’s kind of everything that we thought we were getting.
“The IQ stands out. That’s the big thing that stands out.
“It was a subtle thing. He was setting some inverted screens for Evan [Mobley] today, and just the angle of the screen, when to flip the screen, he’s just got a great, great feel, he added.
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images
“And then defensively, you know, he’s in spaces early. He gets steals just out of nowhere, kind of what he’s done his whole career.
“I’m excited to coach any NBA player, but this is a guy I’ve watched for a long time. I think he is the kind of the ultimate system fit.”
It’s championship or bust for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season
The Cavaliers won 64 games last season and were the No. 1 seed heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
They were expected to make a deep run and challenge for the championship, however they ran into the Indiana Pacers in the second round, who eliminated them in five games.
The Cavaliers will enter this season as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. There is a lot of pressure on their core four of Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
If the Cavaliers have another short-lived postseason run, they could be headed for some major changes.