The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season with high expectations-and for good reason. They finished last year with the best record in the Eastern Conference, and while the roster wasn’t perfect, the front office seemed confident in the core they had assembled. Rather than shake things up, they made a few calculated moves, the most notable being the acquisition of Lonzo Ball.
At the time, it wasn’t a head-scratcher. Ball brought name recognition, defensive upside, and a pass-first mentality that, in theory, could elevate the Cavs’ offense and bring some edge to their backcourt. But nearly 50 games in, it’s become clear: the fit just isn’t there.
Ball’s return to the court after a long injury layoff was one of the more anticipated storylines coming into the season. Unfortunately, his performance hasn’t lived up to the billing.
He’s averaging fewer than five points per game, with just four assists, and he’s shooting under 40% from the field and a rough 27.5% from three. For a player brought in to stabilize the offense and defend at a high level, those numbers are tough to overlook.
And defensively, he hasn’t made the kind of impact that once defined his game.
That’s why there’s growing buzz around the idea that the Cavs should move on-and sooner rather than later. According to Cavs insider Chris Fedor, one potential trade scenario involves sending Ball to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Naji Marshall, a versatile wing who’s quietly putting together the best season of his career.
Marshall isn’t a household name, but he’s exactly the kind of player who can help a playoff team. He’s averaging a career-high 14.7 points, along with 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and over a steal per game, while shooting an efficient 54.5% from the floor. He’s a two-way contributor who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact-something the Cavaliers could use more of, especially with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland running the show.
Dallas, reportedly, is seeking at least a first-round pick in return for Marshall. But a straight-up Ball-for-Marshall swap could be a workable framework, especially if the Mavs are willing to bet on Ball finding his form under head coach Jason Kidd-a Hall of Fame point guard and someone Ball was often compared to early in his career.
For Cleveland, the move would be less about giving up on Ball and more about maximizing this season’s window. The Cavs already have strong defensive wings in De’Andre Hunter and Dean Wade, but both have struggled with injuries. Marshall could provide depth at both the two and the three, giving Cleveland another switchable defender who can also score efficiently.
The reality is, Ball was expected to be a step up from Ty Jerome, especially after his breakout campaign a few seasons ago. But right now, he’s not just struggling-he’s become a liability on both ends. And with the Cavs still within striking distance of the top of the East, they can’t afford to wait and hope things turn around.
There’s still time to make a run. But to do that, Cleveland may need to cut their losses and turn the page on the Lonzo Ball experiment. If they can flip him for a player like Marshall, who fits their system and fills a real need, it could be the kind of under-the-radar move that pays off come playoff time.