INDEPENDENCE — Knee issues cost Lonzo Ball two NBA seasons and made him wonder whether he would ever play again.
Now Ball is thankful to not only have a professional basketball career intact, but also to begin his next chapter with the Cavaliers.
“I’ve been playing basketball my whole life, so for that to get taken away and not really know what I wanted to do with myself was kind of hard to get through,” Ball said July 7 at Cleveland Clinic Courts. “But I feel like I came out a better person for it.”
The Cavs agreed June 28 to trade small forward Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Ball, the No. 2 overall draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. Cleveland announced the trade July 6. A day later, Ball addressed local media for the first time since he joined the Cavs.
“I’m just thankful and blessed to be able to just be here playing for anybody, let alone the Cavs,” Ball said.
What’s so special about the Cavs? Despite their disappointing 4-1 series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavs are expected to contend next season, and Ball has never appeared in an NBA playoff game.
“We should all be focused on getting to a ring,” Ball said. “But we all know that June’s a long time when you start in September, October, so you can’t look too far ahead. [The Cavs] were [the No. 1 seed] in the East last year, so everybody knows that it’s pretty much ring or nothing.”
Lonzo Ball trade: Point guard says Cleveland Cavs provide ‘a great situation for my play style’
If Ball can stay healthy, he would give the Cavs a formidable backup point guard behind All-Star Darius Garland, who is considered likely to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery June 9 on his left big toe.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to acquire someone with the skillset and versatility that Lonzo Ball brings to this team,” Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in a news 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.”
Ball, 27, is an elite passer and defender. His career averages are 11.4 points on 39.8% shooting from the field (36.2% on 3-pointers), 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals.
“I couldn’t ask for nothing better than this,” Ball said. “I think it’s a great situation for my play style.
“I play basketball the same way no matter what team I’m on. I’m gonna go out there, defend, push the pace, shoot the shots that are open and live with the results.”
Lonzo Ball injury: Wrist sprain interfered, but Ball saw positive signs last season on the injury front with the Chicago Bulls
The glaring downside is Ball hasn’t played more than 35 games in a season since 2020-21. He missed the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. After undergoing several procedures, he had a meniscus and cartilage transplant in his left knee in March 2023. He came back last season, yet he didn’t play after Feb. 28 because of a right wrist sprain.
Last season, Ball averaged 7.6 points on 36.6% shooting from the field (34.4% on 3s), 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
“The way just my knee held up [was encouraging],” Ball said. “I was kind of surprised how good I was moving around, and then I felt like it just got better as the year went on. Unfortunately, I had to deal with my wrist, but as far as my knee was concerned, it was pretty good.”
Lonzo Ball grew up cheering for LeBron James and says Cleveland Cavaliers ‘have a great chance to go for it all’ next season
Ball noted he spent ample time undergoing medical testing upon his arrival in Cleveland. He explained he’ll focus this summer on preparing his lower body in the weight room as much as possible for the upcoming season.
Ball’s postseason availability is what will count most.
A LeBron James fan growing up, Ball noted he is aware of recent Cavs history. Although Ball has logged 287 NBA games in the regular season, a playoff appearance has eluded him.
“Basketball is all about winning to me, so you can’t win without getting to the playoffs,” Ball said. “I’ve been on a couple teams that have been to the playoffs. You know, obviously, I couldn’t get out there and run with the guys, but hopefully [I will] this year. I have high hopes, and the sky’s the limit.”
Competing for a championship would make Ball even more grateful.
“We have a great chance to go for it all,” he said, “and that’s really all I’m focused on.”
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On social media: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Lonzo Ball grateful for NBA career and chance to win title with Cavs