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NBA teams began finalizing trades and free agent signings on Sunday, including the Cavs, who officially announced their free agent signings and trades.
Acquire Ball from Bulls:
The Cavs acquired guard Lonzo Ball in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. As part of the trade, the Cavaliers sent forward Isaac Okoro to Chicago.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to acquire someone with the skillset and versatility that Lonzo Ball brings to this team,” said Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman in a press release.. “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.”
The 27-year-old Ball, who has battled knee injuries, which caused him to miss 2 1/2 seasons, appeared in 35 games for the Bulls last season. Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.34 steals in 22.2 minutes per contest.
Over his six-year NBA career, he has appeared in 287 games (253 starts) for the L.A. Lakers, New Orleans, and Chicago, posting career averages of 11.4 points, 5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.53 steals in 31.2 minutes per game. Additionally, he has recorded 37 double-doubles and eight triple-doubles. Since entering the league in 2017-18, Ball is one of only six NBA players to average at least 11.0 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.50 steals per game. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Lakers, Ball earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2017-18 after a standout season at UCLA, where he led the NCAA in assists.
For Ball, who signed a two-year, $20 million extension last season with the Bulls, it’s all about health. If he can stay healthy, he’s a solid distributor and defender. He may not be an upgrade over the departed Ty Jerome, but he is a solid replacement nonetheless.
Regarding the 24-year-old Okoro, his role was not as significant as it was in previous seasons in Cleveland. In the end, the fifth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, never really grew into the player the Cavs thought he could be when they selected him. However, a change of scenery could help.
Re-sign Merrill:
The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed guard Sam Merrill to a multi-year contract.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal is for four years and worth $38 million.
Merrill, 29, had a breakout season for the Cavs last season. He appeared in a career-high 71 games, averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.75 steals in 19.7 minutes while shooting .372 from the three-point line (137-368 3FG). His 137 made triples were the third-most on the Cavaliers and tied for 12th in the NBA among reserves.
Over his five NBA seasons, Merrill has appeared in 173 regular-season contests (seven starts) with Milwaukee, Memphis, and Cleveland. He holds career averages of 6.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 16.3 minutes, while shooting .386 from the three-point line (313-810 3FG).
Merrill is an excellent shooter, and he was a valuable contributor off the bench, a role that should continue next season.
Junior returns!
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward/center Larry Nance Jr.
According to reports, it’s a one-year, veteran minimum deal.
The 32-year-old returns to the Cavaliers, where he spent parts of four seasons (2018-21).
A 10-year NBA veteran, Nance Jr. last played for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2024-25 season, appearing in 24 games (three starts) and averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest.
Over his career, he has played in 546 regular-season games (137 starts) with the L.A. Lakers, Cleveland, Portland, New Orleans, and Atlanta, averaging 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.14 steals in 23.1 minutes. Nance Jr. has recorded 64 double-doubles in his career and has shot at least .500 from the field in nine of his 10 NBA seasons.
The Akron, Ohio, native’s father, Larry Nance Sr., was a member of the Cavaliers from 1988-94, and his brother, Pete Nance, played for Cleveland during the 2023-24 season. The Nances are one of only two family trios in NBA history to play for the same franchise; the other is the Barry family, who accomplished the feat with both the Houston Rockets (Rick, Brent, and Jon Barry) and the Golden State Warriors (Rick, Jon, and Drew Barry).
Nance Jr. is a solid veteran to have around, and when healthy, he’s a decent defender and a great piece off the bench.