NBA Trade News: Lonzo Ball Is On The Move To Eastern Rival

After finally coming back from 2 1/2 seasons off while battling a persistent knee injury, Lonzo Ball is now being shipped out by the Chicago Bulls, traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for wing Isaac Okoro.

BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/W0FTrRhe7y
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Ball, 27, averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season for the Bulls in 35 games, but at least proved he was finally back and able to contribute. He had averaged 12 points and six assists per game in his previous incarnation, before his injury. He was the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the LA Lakers.

The Cavaliers came into this offseason seemingly resigned to the fact that they would lose Ty Jerome in free agency, and needed another ballhandler in the backcourt. Ball will provide that, if he stays healthy.

The 6-foot-6 Ball is also a strong defensive point guard, and will help on that front as well. The Cavs had inquired about him at the trade deadline in February, but instead, the Bulls hung onto him and he signed a two-year, $20 million extension, which surprised many.

Now the Cavs will take advantage of his relatively inexpensive salary, with Jerome slated to fetch much more than that on the open market. Cleveland was about $12 million over the salary cap's second apron.

The Bulls get a solid 3-and-D wing in the 24-year-old Okoro. He averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists this past season, and is a career 35.1% 3-point shooter.