The Utah Jazz have acquired Lonzo Ball through a three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks, but they are anticipated to waive the veteran guard, allowing him to enter free agency, according to sources reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Cavaliers traded Ball along with two second-round picks to the Jazz, who also received cash considerations from the Hawks in exchange for center Jock Landale, as per Charania’s sources.
Ball became surplus to requirements in Cleveland after the Cavs recently acquired guards James Harden and Dennis Schroder in separate trades. By letting go of Ball, Cleveland not only reduces salary but also benefits from tax savings, enabling him to explore free agency.
This three-team transaction occurred just one day after Utah completed a significant trade to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. in an eight-player deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Landale was traded from Memphis to Utah as part of that arrangement.
In an unprecedented feat, Ball made his return from three arthroscopic knee surgeries last season, stepping back onto the NBA court for the first time in over 1,000 days in October 2024. Following a series of strong performances, Ball earned a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls, later being traded to the Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro during the summer.
yet, Ball, 28, has faced challenges in Cleveland, averaging a career-low 4.6 points while shooting merely 30% from the field and under 30% from three-point range.
