Cavaliers fans must temper Lonzo Ball expectations

Lonzo Ball | Michael Reaves/GettyImagesPlenty of Cleveland Cavaliers fans were excited when the team traded for Lonzo Ball last month from the Chicago Bulls. But given Ball's lack of time away from the court in recent months and years, it's right for the fanbase to think about tempering their expectations just a bit.

The Cavaliers were wise to take a calculated gamble on Ball. He brings a level of intelligence, floor vision, and perimeter defense that has long been valuable across multiple systems. But this version of Lonzo Ball is still in the early stages of returning to who he once was.

Since January 2022, he has played in only 35 NBA games, all this past season. While his personal…