It wasn't too long ago that a certain someone floated the idea of the Utah Jazz acquiring Lonzo Ball as a buy-low candidate. Even after that, it seemed even more doable once Cleveland basically acquired Dennis Schroder to take Ball's role. Well, the Jazz did it, but not for basketball reasons.
After ESPN's Shams Charania reported the trade, he also confirmed that Utah will waive Ball.
The Jazz are expected to waive Lonzo Ball, allowing him to be a free agent, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/NH3dxebRlQ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Although the Jazz need more defense, they are also still very much tanking, despite acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. the other day. If Ball were to work out, it could be a problem for Utah as it could lead to them playing well enough for them to lose their pick to Oklahoma City.
Utah probably will go after more defense-oriented personnel, but because of timing, adding someone like Ball would be something they would do this summer, but not right now. He has earned the right to get another chance, but he's best served somewhere else.
Ball could be a low-risk, high-reward mid-season addition
There's a reason Ball is being dumped first in a trade and then via buyout: he hasn't had a good season in Cleveland. Averaging 4.6 points, four rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 30.1% from the field and 27.2% from three. Those are paltry numbers compared to what Ball used to put up, even if he never exactly played at an All-Star level.
However, he has still shown he can drop some dimes while playing some quality defense. If he can simply get his shooting percentages up a tad, it could work out amazingly for his next team. Cleveland has gotten its act together a little, but there's a case to be made that Ball was simply just a bad fit on their roster and what they wanted him to do.
Ball is still an oversized point guard who has shown in spurts that he's a game-changer when he's on the floor. His tenure with the Cavaliers was a disaster, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's over for him. All he needs is the right situation. If Utah wasn't tanking right now, or if it were currently September, he'd be perfect for them.
This has also been his healthiest season since his days with the New Orleans Pelicans, meaning he isn't as much of an injury risk as he has been in the past. Add the fact that he can be had for pennies, and it's pretty clear he will have some appeal when he clears waivers.
This is all hypothetical, but if Ball turns out to be a team's missing piece, his next team has the Jazz to thank for their good fortune.