The Washington Wizards are reportedly kicking the tires on a potential trade for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Lonzo Ball, according to a new report. With nearly $30 million in cap space to work with, Washington is in a rare position to absorb contracts - and they’re apparently willing to do so if it means adding future draft capital.
For Cleveland, moving Ball would be less about what they get in return and more about what they get off their books. Ball has struggled mightily this season, shooting just 29.9% from the field and faring even worse from three.
While the Cavs didn’t bring him in expecting him to be a volume scorer, they were counting on his playmaking and perimeter defense to make a difference. So far, that hasn’t materialized.
He’s now slipped behind Craig Porter Jr. in the rotation, and even rookie Tyrese Proctor has gotten minutes ahead of him at times. That’s left Ball on the outside looking in - a tough spot for a player once viewed as a high-IQ floor general with elite passing instincts.
Ball is in the first year of a two-year, $20 million contract he originally signed with the Chicago Bulls, but the second year is a team option. At this point, it’s hard to imagine any team - Cleveland included - picking up that option this summer. That makes him, essentially, an expiring contract with limited on-court value at the moment.
From the Cavs’ perspective, there’s incentive to move now rather than wait. Offloading Ball’s deal early would open up a roster spot and help them inch closer to ducking under the second luxury tax apron - a financial line teams are increasingly wary of crossing.
Of course, that alone won’t get them under; more salary would need to be moved. But it’s a step in the right direction.
That brings us to De’Andre Hunter, another name frequently mentioned in Cleveland’s trade chatter. Hunter, who’s drawn interest from teams like the Lakers and Kings, is also seen as a potential trade chip. Between Ball and Hunter, the Cavs have $34.9 million in salary that they’re actively exploring ways to move.
The reality is, Cleveland isn’t going to get dollar-for-dollar value back. But that’s not the point. If they can flip those contracts for better-fitting pieces or future flexibility, it could help patch some of the roster’s current issues - both on the court and on the cap sheet.
With the trade deadline fast approaching on Thursday, expect the Cavs to stay aggressive. They’ve got work to do, and they know it.