Lonzo Ball changes to the Cavaliers, finally fit again after his serious knee injury. He sees chances in the team and wants to play in the playoffs for the first time.
Lonzo Ball does not have to worry about the rehabilitation of a knee injury for the first time in some season. Instead, the experienced Guard uses the offseason to settle in his new team.
On Monday, Ball met the medical staff and the coaches in the Cleveland Cavaliers training complex after his trade was completed by the Chicago Bulls for Forward Isaac Okoro on Sunday.
Trade from Chicago to Cleveland
Chicago and Cleveland had already agreed on the trade on June 28, but he only officially became at the beginning of the new league year on Sunday. “I think it’s a great situation for my playing style,” said Ball.
“Don (Donovan Mitchell, editor’s note ) is one of the best players that we have in the league. And they have two bigs who are mobile, pick-and rolls and can also get to the basket. And then also switch in defense.” Ball is convinced that the team has a variety of options for both offensive and defensive.
Ball plagued by injury problems
Last season, Ball scored an average of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 35 games after having missed the seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24 on the left knee.
The 27-year-old underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplantation in March 2023 after two previous operations could not fix the injury from his first season in Chicago 2021/22.
He missed the last two months of the season due to a bricked -up right hand, but was encouraged by the resilience of his knee.
“After the games, I didn’t really know what to expect. But you know when I came back in the Preseason game against Minnesota, I was surprised that I could move so well,” said Ball. “I have the feeling that I got better during the year. Unfortunately I had to deal with my wrist, but as far as my knee is concerned, it was pretty good.”
Ball longs playoff debut
Ball, who was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017 as the second pick in the draft, has another year with a team option for the 2026/27 season. Cleveland had a need in the point guard position. Starter Darius Garland is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season after he has undergone an operation on the left big toe last month.
The Cavaliers had the second best record in the NBA with 64-18, but were eliminated in five games in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by the Indiana Pacers.
Ball has not yet played a playoff game in his six seasons, which he now wants to change. “If you start in September or October, you can’t look too far. But they were number 1 in the east last year, everyone knows. It is quasi ring or nothing,” he said. “It is simply a matter of ensuring that I am as available as possible and get myself into the best position to end the season. At the moment it is more about ensuring that my lower body is good and things like that.”
Lonzo Ball is moving to the Cavaliers, Finally Fit Again after his serious knee injury. He’s Opportunities in the team and wants to play in the playoffs for the first time.
For the first time in Several Seasons, Lonzo Ball Does Have to Worry About Rehabilitating A Knee Injury. Instead, the Experienced Guard is using the offseason to Settle into his new team.
On Monday, Ball Met with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Medical Staff and Coaches at the Training Complex After His Trade From The Chicago Bulls for Forward Isaac Okoro was Completed on Sunday.
Trade from Chicago to Cleveland
Chicago and Cleveland Agreed to the Trade on June 28, but it was not officialy announced the starting of the New League Year on Sunday. “I think it’s a great situation for my style of play,” Ball Said.
“Don (Donovan Mitchell, Editor’s Note ) is one of the best players we have in the League. And they Have Two Bigs Who Are Mobile, Can Set Pick-And-Rolls And Get To The Basket. And then Switch on Defense Too.” Ball is convinced that the team has a variety of options Both offensive and defensive.
Ball Plagued by Injury Problems
Last Season, Ball Averaged 7.6 Points, 3.4 Rebounds and 3.3 Assists in 35 Games After Missing the 2022/23 and 2023/24 Seasons Due to a Left Knee Injury.
The 27-Year-Old Underwent Meniscus and Cartilage Transplantation in March 2023 After Two Previous Operations Failed to Fix The Injury From His First Season in Chicago in 2021/22.
He Missed the Last Two Months of the Season Due to a Sprained Right Hand, but was encouraged by the resilience of his knee.
“After Games, I Didn’t Realy Know What to Expect. But, You Know, When I Came Back In The Preseason Game Against Minnesota, I was Surprised That I Could Move So Well,” Ball Said. “I Feel Like I got Better As The Year Went On. Unprofunately I had to deal with my Wrist, but as far as my knee is concerned, it was pretty good.”
Ball Longs for Playoff debut
Ball, Who was Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers As The Second Pick in the 2017 Draft, Has One Year Left On His Contract With A Team Option for the 2026/27 Season. Cleveland what in need of a point guard. Starter Darius Garland is Expected to Miss the Start of the Regular Season After Undergoing Surgery on his Left Big Toe Last Month.
The Cavaliers Had the Second-Best Record in the NBA at 64-18, but were eliminated in Five Games by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Ball has not played in a playoff game in his six seasons, which he now wants to change. “When you start in September or october, you can’t look too far ahead. But they were number 1 in the East last year, everyone knows that. It’s almost ring or nothing,” Heer Said. “It’s just about making Sure i’m as Available as Possible and putting myself in the best position to finish the season Strong. Right Now, It’s More About Making Sure My Lower Body Is Good In The Weight Room and Things Like that.”