This was the expected move after Ball landed in Utah as part of Wednesday's three-way deal involving the Jazz, Cavs and Hawks. Ball will be a free agent once he clears waivers, but given how he struggled to make an impact in Cleveland, he may not generate much interest from contending teams on the open market.
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Jazz's Lonzo Ball: Likely to be cut
Rotowire
Utah is expected to waive Ball after acquiring him in a three-team trade with the Cavaliers and Hawks on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Ball had been struggling to hold down a rotation spot in Cleveland and became even more expendable after the team recently acquired Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder to bolster their backcourt depth. As a result, Ball was sent to Utah in a deal, but the Jazz took on the 28-year-old guard's contract mainly to secure a pair of second-round picks in addition to cash considerations. The Jazz may hold Ball through Thursday's trade deadline to wait and see if he can be rerouted elsewhere, but if not, he'll likely be cut loose in the coming days. Ball is on a $10 million contract for 2025-26 and holds a $10 million player option for the 2026-27 season, so he'll likely clear waivers and then look to sign with a contending club at a more team-friendly salary.
The Cavaliers traded Ball to the Jazz along with two second-round picks Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
This was essentially a salary dump for Cleveland. With the Cavaliers recently acquiring Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, Ball became expendable to the franchise. Ball's representatives are expected to sit down with Utah's front office to discuss his future, so he may not stick around. For now, he can be labeled as doubtful to debut Thursday against the Hawks.
Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Could be bound for reduced role
Rotowire
Ball provided three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one steal over 16 minutes during Sunday's 130-111 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Ball recently rejoined the Cleveland rotation and played double-digit minutes for the fifth game in a row, but he hasn't scored more than six points in any of those contests and has shot just 26.7 percent from the field. With the Cavaliers moving De'Andre Hunter over the weekend but getting back two more guards in Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, Ball looks to be at major risk of falling back out of the rotation, perhaps as soon as Wednesday's game against the Clippers.
Ball closed with nine points (3-6 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds and four assists in 14 minutes during Wednesday's 133-107 victory over the 76ers.
Ball was back in the rotation, seeing the floor for the first time in the past five games. With Darius Garland (foot) having to leave the game early, Ball was inserted into the action. While he was able to put up serviceable numbers, managers will want to wait for an update regarding Garland's health before running to add Ball.
Ball accumulated six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 15 minutes during Friday's 113-108 victory over the Nuggets.
Ball was back in the rotation after missing the past two games. With Cleveland failing to live up to expectations thus far, the rotation has been a point of conjecture. Despite coming into the season as the primary backup behind Darius Garland, Ball has struggled to deliver consistent production. Through 26 appearances, he has averaged just 5.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 22.9 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Dropped from rotation
Rotowire
Ball (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Monday in the Cavaliers' 113-101 win over the Spurs.
Ball wasn't listed on the Cavaliers' injury report leading up to Monday's game, so his lack of playing time seems to be simply a result of him at least temporarily falling out of head coach Kenny Atkinson's rotation. Atkinson elected to go with Craig Porter, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson as the team's reserve options at guard and on the wing while Ball failed to get off the bench. Ball's $10 million contract had likely given him a longer leash in the rotation than he otherwise deserved; the 28-year-old is shooting an abysmal 29.9 percent from the field and 25.6 percent from three-point range in 23.2 minutes per game over his 25 appearances on the season.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Available for Christmas Day
Rotowire
Ball (knee) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the Knicks.
Ball did not play in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans due to a left knee injury, but the veteran guard has progressed enough in his recovery to be available Christmas Day. He is averaging 5.6 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 threes and 1.4 steals over 23.9 minutes per game this season.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball will be rested Tuesday against the Pelicans.
Ball is not cleared for back-to-back sets, so he'll sit this one out as expected. During Monday's win over Charlotte, Ball had six points, seven assists, two rebounds and one steal in 24 minutes.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Grabs seven boards in loss
Rotowire
Ball had two points (1-5 FG, 0-4 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 17 minutes during Wednesday's 127-111 loss to the Bulls.
Ball grabbed at least five rebounds for the 12th game this season, but he has not been shooting the ball well. In 21 games, Ball averages just 5.4 points on 28.8 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three.
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