The Utah Jazz completed a three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks to acquire guard Lonzo Ball, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Jazz plan to waive Ball shortly after the trade, allowing the 28-year-old to enter free agency.
Details of the Multi-Team Trade
As part of the deal, the Jazz sent two second-round draft picks to the Cavaliers and received cash considerations from the Hawks. The transaction also included center Jock Landale moving to Utah from Atlanta. The Cavaliers have cleared space by offloading Ball as they bolstered their backcourt with recent acquisitions of guards James Harden and Dennis Schroder.
Recent Moves and Ball’s Career Context
This trade follows the Jazz’s major acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies in a separate, eight-player transaction that brought Landale to Utah. Ball returned to the NBA after more than 1,000 days off the court due to three arthroscopic knee surgeries, making his comeback in October 2024. After solid performances, he earned a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro before the current season.
However, Ball’s season with the Cavaliers was challenging, as he posted career-low averages with 4.6 points per game, shooting just 30% overall and less than 30% from beyond the arc. He is set to earn $10 million during the upcoming season before becoming a free agent in 2027.
Implications of the Trade for the Jazz and Ball
This move gives the Jazz financial flexibility while positioning Ball to explore opportunities elsewhere in free agency. For the Cavaliers, it represents a salary and tax burden reduction after adding Harden and Schroder. For Lonzo Ball, being waived could provide a chance to find a new environment where he can rebuild his value and contribute more effectively.
