It hasn't exactly been a headline-grabbing offseason for the Chicago Bulls. Not much has been done, but although the Lonzo Ball trade was notable, that doesn't necessarily mean it was a deal that has been aging particularly well since it occurred.
We of course all saw the rumors of what teams were offering for Ball in the weeks and months leading up to the trade getting done. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Pistons were all among the teams interested in striking a deal to acquire Lonzo's services, and all of them could've hypothetically offered a first-round pick.
Instead, what did the Bulls get in return from the Cleveland Cavaliers in reality? Just Isaac Okoro, no picks involved. Unfortunately, it was the umpteenth example of Chicago getting less value back in a deal than they could have. We know for a fact that there was at least one deal out there that included a first-rounder, and the Bulls missed out on it.
The Bulls need Isaac Okoro to be a real contributor
Again, this sadly isn't a foreign concept for Bulls fans. This current generation of basketball in Chicago has been marked by making moves too late (like finally trading Zach LaVine) and then getting pennies on the dollar when you do actually decide to bite the bullet.
The problem with this trade in particular, once you get past the whole not getting a first-round pick thing, is the way it forces the Bulls to invest in Okoro. With all due respect to him as a player, I'm just not sure how much of a needle-mover he's going to be in the Windy City.
You could argue that Okoro hit his peak as a professional player back in his rookie year in 2020-21, when he earned All-Rookie honors. That season was when he played a career-high 32.4 minutes per night, averaging 9.6 points and 3.1 rebounds. His shooting percentages have increased since then, but his 2024-25 season in Cleveland wasn't the prettiest, and it was probably what led the Cavs front office to opt for trading him.
So in order for this Lonzo trade to actually end up benefitting them, the Bulls are going to have to hope they can somehow get Isaac Okoro to a new level, and get him producing at something resembling his rookie year output. If they don't, it's just going to make this trade look that much more disappointing.