Having versatile role players is the key to winning an NBA championship. That is something the Cleveland Cavaliers realized they needed more of after their flameout against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs.
In the offseason, they traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball. Ball had battled injuries for the last three years, but his playmaking ability, tenacious defense, and his basketball IQ were all qualities the Cavs needed off their bench.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson likes having multiple ball handlers. Ball’s versatility was simply too good to pass up on.