"Why do the Chicago Bulls hate draft capital?" - NBA fans react to Lonzo Ball joining Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro

On Saturday, the Chicago Bulls traded Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro. The Bulls held on to Ball at the trade deadline despite reports that he and Coby White were drawing considerable interest. After signing ball to a two-year extension, the team shipped him to Cleveland in a one-for-one swap.

But the Chicago Bulls fans aren't pleased. Many fans questioned why the Bulls front office traded Ball for Okoro, but declined to trade Ball for a first-round pick at the deadline.

Betsey

@Betseycashmoney

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And again, no picks?????

Why do the Chicago Bulls hate draft capital so much?????????

hartxx

@luvhartxx

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bulls gm must be allergic to getting draft picks

Plenty of other fans don't see the vision either:

Coach Rome

@Rome_Beast

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what do the bulls gain from dat

7

@ChetGotNext

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Cavs hit a lick

MFFL Nation

@NationMffl

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Worse than the Caruso trade for Chicago…

Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson explained, in a follow-up post, that Okoro aligns with Chicago front-office duo Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley's desire to acquire young players with experience.

At 24, Okoro is three years younger than Ball and already has three years of playoff experience. Chicago has made the postseason just once since 2017 and haven't won a playoff series since 2015.

While Okoro's contract pays nearly the same as Ball's next season; $11.0m vs $10.0m, his deal is guaranteed through the 2026-27 season, while Ball has a team option for the 2026-27 season.

Chicago Bulls turned down an opportunity to trade Lonzo Ball at the deadline for draft capital

During the 2024-25 NBA Season, Lonzo Ball made his highly anticipated return to action after sitting on the sidelines for several seasons with lingering knee problems. Despite undergoing a cartilage transplant, Ball showed that his defensive instincts and playmaking abilities hadn't regressed.

Because of that, at the deadline, the team reportedly received an offer to pick up a first-round pick from Washington so long as they took Marcus Smart as well.

As Chicago's Kenny Beecham wrote:

KENNY BEECHAM

@KOT4Q

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Btw, the bulls were offered a first round pick for Lonzo at the deadline. All they had to do was take on Marcus Smart.

Instead, the team extended Ball and stand pat on Nikola Vučević despite trading away Zach LaVine to recoup their first-round pick in this year's draft.

While it's clear that Chicago is focused on getting younger, the decision to part ways with Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro instead of trading Ball for draft capital cuts into the money Chicago will have to spend during the 2026 offseason.