The Utah Jazz made a pair of expected roster moves, officially waiving veterans Lonzo Ball and Chris Boucher, according to the league’s transaction log. These weren’t surprise decisions - they were strategic ones, rooted in asset accumulation and financial flexibility.
Let’s start with Ball. Utah took on the 28-year-old guard’s $10 million contract in a deal with Cleveland that netted the Jazz two second-round picks.
For a team not currently in win-now mode, this kind of move makes a lot of sense. The Jazz had the cap room to absorb Ball’s salary and essentially turned that space into future draft capital.
Ball, who hasn’t played since 2022 due to lingering knee issues, will now hit waivers and become eligible to sign with any team except the Cavaliers once he clears - which should happen in the next couple of days.
As for Boucher, the Jazz picked him up in a similar type of transaction - a salary dump from the Celtics that came with another second-round pick attached. Utah used the minimum salary exception to bring him in, then promptly waived him.
Boucher, a versatile Canadian big man known for his energy and shot-blocking, is expected to draw some interest around the league once he hits the open market. However, because of the terms of the trade, he won’t be eligible to return to Boston this season.
These moves are part of a broader theme for Utah: using their room under the luxury tax line to take on contracts other teams are eager to shed - and getting draft picks in return. Ball was brought in via a traded player exception, while Boucher came in under the minimum salary exception. Neither player was expected to suit up for the Jazz, but both helped the front office stockpile more assets for the future.
It’s the kind of quiet, behind-the-scenes maneuvering that doesn’t make headlines like blockbuster trades or buzzer-beaters - but it matters. Utah is playing the long game, and moves like these are how smart front offices build a foundation for sustained success.