After just one season in Cleveland, Lonzo Ball’s time with the Cavaliers has officially come to an end. At the trade deadline, the Cavs shipped the former No. 2 overall pick to the Utah Jazz-a move that felt more like a cap-clearing maneuver than a long-term investment.
And sure enough, it didn’t take long for the Jazz to make their next move. As expected, Utah waived Ball shortly after the trade, making the oft-injured guard an unrestricted free agent.
Now, the focus shifts to what’s next-and who’s willing to take a chance.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, multiple teams have already requested access to Ball’s medical records. That’s the key domino here.
Before any team signs off on bringing in the 28-year-old point guard, they need to know exactly what they’re getting physically. And with Ball, that’s always been the question.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: injuries have been the defining storyline of Lonzo Ball’s career. He’s never played more than 63 games in a season, and he missed two-and-a-half years while dealing with a brutal stretch of left knee surgeries during his time with the Bulls. That kind of absence isn’t just a setback-it’s a career-altering roadblock.
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague didn’t hold back recently, claiming Ball is “cooked.” That’s a harsh assessment, but it speaks to the skepticism that’s out there.
When Ball was on the floor, especially during his early years in New Orleans and Chicago, he showed flashes of being a high-IQ playmaker with a unique blend of size, vision, and defensive instincts. But that version of Lonzo hasn’t been seen in a long time.
Cleveland hoped to revive some of that potential when they acquired him, but it never quite clicked. In 35 games with the Cavs, Ball averaged a career-low 4.6 points to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He struggled to find rhythm, and the burst that once made him such a dynamic transition player just wasn’t there.
Still, there’s interest-because if there’s even a chance Ball can get back to something close to his old self, he’s worth a look.
According to Jake Fischer, the Golden State Warriors are one of the teams doing their homework. They’re reportedly eyeing Ball as a potential addition via the buyout market, pending the all-important medical review.
The Warriors have long valued high-IQ players who can move the ball, defend multiple positions, and fit into a motion-heavy offense. If Ball can pass the physical and get back to even 75% of his former self, he could be a sneaky fit in that system.
The Denver Nuggets are also reportedly in the mix. For a team that’s already built around a pass-first big man in Nikola Jokić, adding another facilitator with size in the backcourt could be an intriguing wrinkle. Again, it all comes down to health.
This is now Ball’s fifth stop in seven NBA seasons. From the Lakers to the Pelicans, Bulls, Cavaliers, and now a brief (and purely transactional) stint with the Jazz, his journey has been anything but linear.
But the book isn’t closed yet. He’s a free agent with a name that still carries weight-and at just 28, there’s still time for a second act.
The question is: who’s willing to roll the dice? And more importantly, can Lonzo Ball’s body finally let him play the game the way his mind still sees it?