The Cleveland Cavaliers have quietly flipped the script on their season. After a rocky start, they've found their footing, winning seven of their last ten games and climbing back into the thick of the Eastern Conference race. But while the on-court product is stabilizing, the front office is still working the phones-and one name continues to surface: Lonzo Ball.
Let’s make one thing clear up front: the Cavaliers aren’t moving Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen. Both players remain central to Cleveland’s long-term vision.
But Ball? That’s a different story.
According to multiple league reports, the Cavs are actively exploring trade options for Ball ahead of the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline. The Washington Wizards have emerged as a team showing interest, and the fit makes sense.
Washington is in the middle of a rebuild and has the financial flexibility to absorb contracts-especially if there’s a draft pick sweetener involved. League sources say the Wizards are open to using their nearly $30 million in luxury tax room and traded player exceptions to help other teams offload salary, and Ball could be a prime candidate for that kind of deal.
Ball arrived in Cleveland via trade from the Chicago Bulls back in June, but his first season in a Cavaliers uniform hasn’t gone as hoped. Through 34 games, he’s averaging career lows across the board: 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting just 29.9% from the field and 26.9% from deep. The shooting woes have been glaring, and his role has been limited-just 20.9 minutes per game.
Still, there’s one silver lining: Ball is staying on the floor. After years of battling injuries and never playing more than 63 games in a season, he’s already appeared in 34 contests this year. That’s a promising sign for a player who, when healthy, can still impact the game as a versatile defender and secondary playmaker.
But with the Cavaliers reshaping their roster, Ball’s future in Cleveland looks increasingly uncertain. Just this past weekend, the team pulled off a three-team deal, shipping De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings and bringing in veteran guard Dennis Schröder and young wing Keon Ellis. The move not only adds depth to the backcourt but also signals a shift in priorities-and possibly accelerates Ball’s exit.
NBA insider Evan Sidery noted that the arrival of Schröder and Ellis has increased the chances of a Ball trade. He’s on a $10 million expiring deal, with a team option for the 2026-27 season.
Given his limited production, the asking price is reportedly modest-likely a second-round pick. For a team like Washington, that’s a low-risk move with potential upside.
If Ball does land in D.C., it would mark his fifth NBA team. But it could also bring a fresh opportunity.
The Wizards are in a developmental phase, and Ball could benefit from more minutes and a looser system that allows him to rediscover his rhythm. At 28, he still has time to reestablish himself as a valuable two-way contributor.
For now, the Cavaliers are focused on maintaining their momentum in the East. But behind the scenes, the roster shuffle continues-and Lonzo Ball’s name remains front and center.