Cavaliers and Bulls trade to get big balls, 4 years $38 million to keep Merrill

June 29, a report from famous reporter Shams said that well-informed sources revealed that the Cavaliers and the Bulls completed a 1-for-1 deal. The specific content is - the Cavaliers sent Isaac Ocorro and got the "big ball" Lonzo Ball from Chicago.

Previously, he was suffering from a serious knee injury and missed two consecutive seasons. In the regular season of the 24-25 season, he returned to the ball and played 35 games, averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Big Ball's existing contract has two years left to total value of $20 million, of which $10 million is the 25-26 season and $10 million worth of team options in the 26-27 season.

Sources said that Ultraman Kobe, president of basketball operations of the Cavaliers, and his team have been paying attention to big balls in recent months. On the end of trading in February this year, the Cavaliers asked about the big ball. Against this backdrop, the Cavaliers finally finalized a deal with the Bulls.

But this deal will also make Cleveland lose Ty Jerome. According to a tip obtained by Shams, the Cavaliers do not expect to offer a offer to Jerome in the free market. Jerome's annual salary in the 24-25 season was $2.53 million, and he became a full free agent this summer. It is reported that Jerome's new contract salary increase will be huge, and the expectation within the league is a full middle class special case ($14.1 million).

24-25 regular season, Jerome played 70 games for the Cavaliers, averaging 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Jerome ranked second in the Best Sixth Person Selection this year.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers will sign a new four-year contract with full free agent Sam Merrill for a total of $38 million. Merrill played 71 games for the Cavaliers in the regular season 24-25 season, averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. In this way, Merrill surpassed Thomas Jr. and became the No. 60 pick with the highest total salary in his career.