Lonzo Ball’s stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers was short, rocky, and ultimately forgettable - but his story in the NBA is far from finished. After being traded to the Utah Jazz on February 5 and waived the same day, Ball is now a free agent. And according to league sources, the Golden State Warriors are eyeing him as a potential buyout addition.
It’s easy to forget that Ball is still just 28 years old. He’s been in the league long enough to feel like a veteran, but in theory, there’s still plenty of basketball left in him - if his body cooperates.
That’s the big question. Ball has battled severe knee issues for years, including a cartilage transplant that sidelined him for two and a half seasons.
He finally returned to action for the 2025-26 campaign, hoping to turn the page with a fresh start in Cleveland.
But the Cavs weren’t the right fit. Not for a player trying to shake off two years of rust and rediscover his rhythm.
Cleveland is in full win-now mode, with little margin for error and even less patience to bring someone along slowly. The team needs production now, and Ball - still working his way back - couldn’t deliver that consistently.
As his shooting struggles continued, particularly from deep, his minutes dwindled.
It wasn’t a matter of blame. Head coach Kenny Atkinson had to make tough calls to keep the Cavs competitive, and Ball simply didn’t fit into that equation.
At the same time, it’s tough not to feel for Lonzo. He’s a smart, unselfish player with a unique feel for the game, and he deserves a real shot to find his footing again.
That’s where Golden State comes in.
The Warriors, no longer the juggernaut of years past, are in a very different place than they were during their dynasty run. With Jimmy Butler out for the season due to an ACL tear and the team already struggling before the injury, expectations have taken a nosedive.
Golden State is still trying to compete, but they’re also exploring what the next version of this team might look like. That opens the door for a player like Ball.
The Warriors just took a swing at Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline - a high-risk, high-reward move considering his own availability concerns. Adding Ball would be another calculated gamble, but one that makes sense on multiple levels.
For starters, his game fits the Warriors’ style. He’s a pass-first guard who thrives in transition and loves to push the pace - a natural fit alongside Stephen Curry.
And while Ball may never be the explosive athlete he once was, he still brings size and defensive instincts that could help cover some of the backcourt’s weaknesses.
Ball’s ability to initiate offense and keep the ball moving could also take some of the creative burden off Curry, who’s still elite but can’t carry the load alone every night. Even if Ball isn’t a 30-minute-a-night player right now, he can give the Warriors something they’ve lacked: tempo, vision, and a bit of unpredictability.
And let’s not ignore the entertainment factor. When Lonzo is healthy and confident, his game is fun.
He throws daring passes, sees the floor like few others, and plays with a flair that’s easy to root for. In a season where Golden State could use a spark - something to energize the fan base and the locker room - Ball might be the right kind of wild card.
There are no guarantees here. Ball’s health remains a question mark, and it’s unclear how much he can contribute right away. But if the Warriors are willing to give him a real chance, this could be the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that pays off down the line.
Lonzo Ball’s NBA journey has been anything but linear. But if Golden State is indeed his next stop, it might just be the kind of environment he needs - a place with a strong culture, a little less pressure, and a system that values what he brings to the table.
After all he’s been through, a fresh start in the Bay could be exactly what Lonzo needs to write the next chapter of his career - and maybe, just maybe, remind everyone of the player he still has the potential to be.