The Cleveland Cavaliers have been among the more aggressive teams ahead of this year’s trade deadline, already shaking things up by acquiring James Harden. But they weren’t done. On Tuesday, they dealt Lonzo Ball to the Utah Jazz - a move that could open the door for Ball to find a new home sooner rather than later.
According to reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Jazz are expected to waive Ball, which would make the 26-year-old point guard an unrestricted free agent. And while Ball hasn’t suited up in an NBA game since 2022 due to a string of knee injuries, there’s still a belief around the league that he can contribute - especially for a team looking to solidify its backcourt depth for the stretch run.
Let’s take a closer look at a few teams that could make sense as landing spots for Ball once he clears waivers.
Boston Celtics: A Smart Fit for a Savvy Playmaker
The Celtics made a splash by trading Anfernee Simons to the Bulls in exchange for All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, bolstering their frontcourt for the postseason grind. But in doing so, they left themselves a bit thin at the guard position. With Simons gone, Payton Pritchard is the only true point guard left in the rotation.
That’s where Ball could come in.
At $10 million this season - and a $10 million club option for next year - Ball would be a low-risk, high-upside addition. He’s not the scorer Simons is, but he brings a different skill set: elite vision, strong perimeter defense, and the ability to run an offense without dominating the ball. For a team like Boston, loaded with scorers and playmakers, Ball could be the connective tissue that keeps the second unit humming.
If he’s healthy and effective, the Celtics would have him under contract next season on a team-friendly deal. If not, they can move on without much financial strain. It’s a move that makes a lot of sense for a contender looking to tighten up the margins.
Minnesota Timberwolves: A Contingency Plan with Upside
The Timberwolves are swinging big. They’ve reportedly set their sights on Giannis Antetokounmpo and, if that doesn’t work out, Ja Morant. But if both of those long shots don’t materialize, Minnesota still has a pressing need: finding a long-term replacement for Mike Conley.
Ball could be a logical fallback.
Minnesota has built its identity around defense and ball movement, and Ball - when healthy - checks both of those boxes. He’s not a volume scorer, but he doesn’t need to be on a team that already features Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. What he does bring is a high basketball IQ, unselfish play, and the ability to guard multiple positions.
It’s not the headline-grabbing move the Timberwolves are hoping for, but it’s a smart one that could pay dividends if Ball can stay on the floor.
Miami Heat: A Steady Hand if Plans Fall Through
The Heat are another team reportedly eyeing Ja Morant, but if that pursuit comes up empty, they’ll still need to address their backcourt rotation. Lonzo Ball may not be the splashy move Miami fans are hoping for, but he fits the mold of a Heat Culture guy: tough, team-first, and willing to do the dirty work.
Ball wouldn’t be brought in to be the star - Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have that covered. But as a steady presence who can facilitate, defend, and hit open shots, he could help stabilize Miami’s offense, especially when Butler is off the floor.
And like with Boston, the contract structure works in Miami’s favor. If Ball clicks, they’ve got him on a bargain for next season. If not, they move on with minimal cap damage.
The Bottom Line
Lonzo Ball’s NBA journey has been anything but smooth, but there’s still a sense that he can carve out a meaningful role on a contender - especially one that values defense, ball movement, and basketball IQ. With the Jazz expected to waive him, he’ll soon have the chance to choose his next chapter. And for teams like the Celtics, Timberwolves, and Heat - all with playoff aspirations and a need for backcourt help - Ball might just be the kind of under-the-radar move that pays off when it matters most.