Cleveland Cavaliers X-Factor For The 2025-26 Season - Lonzo Ball

The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to be front-running contenders for the Eastern Conference championship this season. In an effort to secure that spot, the team made an offseason move that may have flown under the radar compared to the bigger names that switched teams, but one that could be equally, if not more, impactful. 

Swapping fifth-year forward Isaac Okoro for former second overall draft pick Lonzo Ball, the Cavs are hoping that they have added a missing element to their championship puzzle. 

After missing the previous two seasons due to injury, Ball returned to play 35 games with the Chicago Bulls in the 2024–25 season, showing flashes of the two-way skill set that once made him a prized prospect. Missing an elite perimeter defender and secondary playmaker behind Darius Garland (allowing Donovan Mitchell to focus on scoring rather than point guard duties), Ball is expected to play the role of the Cavs' sixth man, complementing the team’s starting unit.

What makes Ball an X-factor is his on-court versatility. Able to impact the game as a playmaker, scorer, and defender, Ball allows Coach Kenny Atkinson the ability to be flexible with his lineups. Whether he is playing alongside either Garland or Mitchell, Ball provides the Cavs with a defensive anchor in the backcourt while keeping the offense flowing thanks to his elite court vision and improved three-point shooting. 

However, it is not just the full stat line that Ball brings to the Cavs, but also a chip on his shoulder after years of injury setbacks. Over the past four seasons, Ball has played just 70 games, leaving a hunger to prove doubters wrong about his need to retire. This hunger will likely be used to help fuel Cleveland’s second unit, elevating the bench from solid to elite. 

With four possible All-Stars in the starting unit and a deep bench, this might be Cleveland’s best opportunity to plan its second NBA championship parade. The addition of Ball provides the team with a boom-or-bust scenario. If he stays healthy and returns to his pre-injury form, providing the team with close to 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and a couple of steals, he may be the steal of the offseason.