The Cleveland Cavaliers proved that they can hold their ground against the best of them, at least in the regular season.
Now, it’s all about taking this same core and adding gritty veterans who can help them get over the hump.
That’s exactly what they did when they traded for Lonzo Ball.
With that in mind, team insider Sam Amico listed that trade among the most underrated moves the team made in the offseason:
“Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers (Trade with Bulls),” Amico wrote. “Ball returned last season after missing two full years with a knee injury. The Cavaliers took a flier, sending Isaac Okoro to Chicago in exchange for the former No. 2 overall pick. Ball appeared in 35 games and posted averages of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 22.2 minutes. He also hit nearly two threes per game. The former UCLA star missed the final stretch with a wrist injury but showed signs of life and gives Cleveland a versatile option off the bench. His return after more than 1,000 days away was a win by itself. Now the Cavs hope he can take another step forward on a team with championship expectations.”
Everybody knows what Lonzo Ball can bring to the table.
We’re talking about a big-bodied guard who’s a defensive pest.
He can guard multiple positions, and he’s always been deadly in passing lanes and a master of picking a player’s pocket.
He’s also an elite passer and ball-handler with a top-notch basketball IQ and court vision; a true floor general who will be an extension of Kenny Atkinson on the floor.
Ball is also an outstanding rebounder for his position, and a physical player who won’t back down from any challenge.
While not much of a scorer, he’s more than capable of knocking down pull-up and catch-and-shoot shots from beyond the arc and has an occasional offensive explosion every now and then.
Of course, he doesn’t come without risk.
He’s struggled with multiple injuries throughout the course of his career, and that will always be a big asterisk next to him.
But if he manages to stay healthy, he could be the most impactful offseason move in the entire league once it’s all said and done.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Cavs' Plan With Lonzo Ball
