After years of battling injuries and uncertainty, Lonzo Ball is embracing a fresh start and he’s calling it a blessing. The 27-year-old point guard, once a rising star derailed by knee surgeries and long rehab stints, has found new purpose following his offseason trade from the Chicago Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers. And according to Ball, the move may have saved his career.
Speaking on the What an Experience podcast, Ball opened up about the emotional and professional weight of the transition.
“Everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade,” he said. “I’m like, I’m happy to still be playing anywhere, let alone a team that has a real chance to win a ring. My whole life, I feel like I’ve been playing the right brand of basketball, and that’s to win games. So I feel like I’m going to a great situation and I just want to play my role and do what I can to help”.
Ball’s optimism is rooted in more than just a change of scenery. After missing nearly two full seasons due to a complex knee injury that required cartilage and meniscus procedures, his return to the court in 2024–25 was a quiet triumph. Though he played just 35 games for the Bulls last season, his flashes of defensive brilliance and floor leadership reminded fans of the player he once was, and could still be.
The Bulls, however, had moved on. In a straight-up deal, they sent Ball to Cleveland in exchange for Isaac Okoro. For Ball, it meant leaving behind unfinished business in Chicago, but also stepping into a Cavaliers team that’s built to contend. With stars like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley already in place, Ball’s role as a stabilizing force off the bench could be pivotal.
“I feel like it’s just a blessing, bro,” Ball said. “To be honest… I just want to play my role and do what I can to help”.
Cleveland, fresh off a 64-win season and a deep playoff run, is betting that Ball’s experience and unselfish style will elevate their second unit. His ability to defend multiple positions, push the pace, and make smart reads could be the missing ingredient in a team already brimming with talent.
