The Utah Jazz acquired Lonzo Ball in a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday but are expected to waive the veteran guard, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Cavaliers Traded Lonzo Ball To Jazz
The Cavaliers sent Ball and two second-round picks to Utah, while the Jazz also received cash considerations from the Hawks in exchange for center Jock Landale, per Charania.
Ball was dealt after the Cavs landed guards James Harden and Dennis Schroder in separate trades. His departure also came one day after Utah acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. in an eight-player deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis traded Landale to the Jazz as part of that deal.
Per Spotrac, Ball had a salary of $10 million for this season and a $10 million team option for 2026-2027. This is part of the two-year, $20 million deal he signed with the Bulls in February 2025.
Ball Could Sign With Hornets
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Tuesday that Ball could be traded to the Hornets before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.
Per Stein and Fischer, a “preliminary conversation” had taken place between the Cavaliers and Hornets regarding a potential trade of Ball to Charlotte in exchange for second-round draft picks.
Since Ball is now set to become a free agent, he could sign a deal with Charlotte.
If the Hornets add Lonzo, he would be reunited with his younger brother, LaMelo Ball, who has been with Charlotte since the organization selected him third overall in the 2020 draft.
Ball Has Overcome Multiple Injuries
Lonzo Ball, 28, is in the midst of his seventh NBA season and his first with the Cavs after Cleveland acquired him in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bulls.
Ball, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 draft, was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade after just two seasons with L.A.
However, Ball’s career took a downward spiral with the Bulls.
Ball missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to a left knee injury, but he returned to appear in 35 games (14 starts) for Chicago last season.
In October 2024, Ball also suffered a sprain in his right wrist.
Through 35 appearances (three starts) this campaign, Ball is averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 20.8 minutes per game while shooting just 30.1% from the field and 27.2% from 3-point territory.
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