SHAMS: Isaac Okoro traded for Lonzo Ball (CLE/CHI)

[JujitsuFlip]

I made a mistake not adding Merrill to the number of players, that gets my number to 11. Hoopshype doesn't list Proctor or Okeke in the $. So it's a distinction without a difference there. You're saying the players are signed, but then the $ aren't included in my numbers.
The basic point is there. There are teams, even good teams that treat the 2nd apron as a hard cap. They are a good amount over the 2nd apron. They may hold off doing anything for now with Gilbert maybe looking to sell a portion of the team.

I mean, we're not the Celtics. Your best player is out for 12 months and your 2nd best player will be nursing an injury rehab to start the season. You traded your 4th and 5th best players. Your 6th best player might retire. Obviously team was just sold and you all have already reached the mountain top.

The Cavs have lost in the play-in, lost in the 1st round, lost in the 2nd round, and lost in the 2nd round. We're going all in on this season, our first in the 2nd apron. We're not trying to dodge the 2nd apron, we're trying to win a title for the first time in 10 years.

Gilbert is worth $25 billion, whatever the Cavs cost this season is play money to him, essentially pennies.

It makes sense to go for it for the Cavs. I just wasn't sure about Gilbert's commitment. As you may remember I am against this CBA. So I have no issues with teams trying to keep their team together as long as they can.

Ah, yeah, i think i do recall that. I mean if we fast forward 1 season and Cavs are out in the 2nd round or sooner, i could see them offering up everyone not named Mobley. But as a fan, i hope we find a way to stay healthy and win it all. Not super confident that can happen but i don't blame the Cavs for trying, since there's a bunch of injuries to other teams.

[Lalouie]

lonzo is such a willing passer he changes how his teammates THINK
i hope he stays healthy. thing is it's not just his legs. he's just glass

[bonita_the_frog]

Even when healthy Lonzo only shot .366 field last season
His brother LaMelo can't shoot either, only .405 field last season...
Who takes 11.2 threes per game when making only .339
And why are the ball brothers so injured always, so weird!
I wouldn't touch either brother with a 10 foot chicken.

[sisibilio]

I don't think this mesns anything regarding Jerome yet. Wouldn't be shocked if they stretch Lonzo in case the price for Jerome is affordable.

[jbk1234]

Good deal by both sides, love how everyone is acting like Okoro is a bum now but is a really good player. Yes he's slightly over payed and took a step back last season with the role he played on the team with less minutes.But just prior in '23 was damn near a 50/40 guy from the field. I think with a larger role with the Bulls and still just being 24 can turn into a very good starter in the league.

You can cite all the stats you want, but he was a top 5 selection and the Cavs gave him every opportunity to claim that small forward position and he never did. The fact that he had no offers in RFA should have been your first tell that the guy is mediocre at best.

He did have some of the best impact stats (+/-, on/off) on the Cavs every season since his rookie year. He's a better 2 where he can dominate defensively than 3 where he surrenders more height.

[JujitsuFlip]

I don't think this mesns anything regarding Jerome yet. Wouldn't be shocked if they stretch Lonzo in case the price for Jerome is affordable.

I think he is as good as gone. Draft Proctor, trade for Lonzo, re-sign Merrill... Still have Garland and Mitchell, to a much less extent Porter Jr.

Where are Ty's minutes going to come? You still have Strus who slides down into the back court at times too.

[coldfish]

Chicago's strategy is to accumulate a bunch of players who were disappointing youngsters just coming into their prime. They are likely hoping that a handful of them figure it out and you are left with a group of athletic players in the prime of their careers on relatively cheap deals. When you look at the Bulls, they will have Giddey, PatWill, Coby, Okuro, Dosunmu and Jalen Smith all 23 to 25.

I don't think it will work but its at least a different strategy than the "tank and pray" system that a lot of teams use. Chicago's best player will be the traditional "got lucky in the draft" acquisition, Buzelis.

[JujitsuFlip]

Chicago's strategy is to accumulate a bunch of players who were disappointing youngsters just coming into their prime. They are likely hoping that a handful of them figure it out and you are left with a group of athletic players in the prime of their careers on relatively cheap deals. When you look at the Bulls, they will have Giddey, PatWill, Coby, Okuro, Dosunmu and Jalen Smith all 23 to 25.

I don't think it will work but its at least a different strategy than the "tank and pray" system that a lot of teams use. Chicago's best player will be the traditional "got lucky in the draft" acquisition, Buzelis.

Pistons tried a similar strategy. You just end up with a bunch of draft busts who never panned out.

[MavsDirk41]

Ty Jerome needs to get to Dallas.

He will get better offers than the MLE from the Mavs. Mavs are apparently chasing Russell which i think is a mistake. I would prefer Brogdon if going the free agency route. Sexton as a trade option would be my preferred choice.

[DrModesty]

I love that Lonzo managed to get back on the court last season, and I think he clearly drives winning more than Okoro. However, he is still a major injury concern and he wasn't 100% this year and still missed a ton of time, even after returning from the knee.

Okoro is a fine player, but hardly inspiring. But that is why he is being paid $11m per after being a 5th pick. There are players that fulfill similar molds to him that have gotten better coming in to this stage of their careers like Derrick Jones Jr, Davion Mitchell and NAW, so it isn't like there is no upside at all. Younger, healthier, good defender which the Bulls need with players like Coby and Giddey in their backcourt. I think I like this for Chicago.

On the Cavs side, this is more of a gamble but the upside is clearly much higher. If Lonzo can ever return to what he was at his peak then Cleveland become a much more serious threat. He is a sick note of course, but this is the sort of risk the Cavs need to take. I like this for Cleveland even more than Chicago.

Good trade.

[GeorgeMarcus]

Like the deal for both. Okoro is a bit underrated imo

[HMFFL]

Ty Jerome needs to get to Dallas.

He will get better offers than the MLE from the Mavs. Mavs are apparently chasing Russell which i think is a mistake. I would prefer Brogdon if going the free agency route. Sexton as a trade option would be my preferred choice.

DLow? That will be a nightmare.
Nothing good ever comes from the addition of DLow. Ugh!

[MavsDirk41]

Ty Jerome needs to get to Dallas.

He will get better offers than the MLE from the Mavs. Mavs are apparently chasing Russell which i think is a mistake. I would prefer Brogdon if going the free agency route. Sexton as a trade option would be my preferred choice.

DLow? That will be a nightmare.
Nothing good ever comes from the addition of DLow. Ugh!

I agree but thats what the word is in Dallas. I wouldnt even consider him.

[Onlytimewilltel]

Ty Jerome needs to get to Dallas.

He will get better offers than the MLE from the Mavs. Mavs are apparently chasing Russell which i think is a mistake. I would prefer Brogdon if going the free agency route. Sexton as a trade option would be my preferred choice.