Lonzo Ball addressed the criticism he has faced during the current NBA season, insisting the negative reaction to his performance has been exaggerated. Speaking on the Ball in the Family Podcast, Ball suggested that he is being unfairly singled out amid broader team dynamics. The 28-year-old guard emphasized that the scrutiny comes with the role he was brought in to fill and the expectations tied to his presence on the court.
Recent Trades and Statistical Decline Affect Perception
Ball’s season has seen significant changes, beginning with his trade from the Chicago Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 6, 2025, in exchange for Isaac Okoro. He was then traded again to the Utah Jazz on February 5, 2026, only to be waived that same day. His performance with the Cavaliers reflected a more limited role and a noticeable drop in shooting efficiency.
In 35 games with Cleveland, including three starts, Ball averaged 4.6 points, 3.9 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game. His shooting percentages fell to 30.1 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from beyond the arc, marks well below his career averages.
Ball Challenges the Focus on His Shooting Struggles
Lonzo Ball downplayed the severity of his shooting woes, noting that while he has missed shots, the impact on games is often overstated.
“I’m not gonna say I’m playing great. But to me, I’m just missing shots, for real. People are always saying, ‘Shooting 25%.’ All right, let’s actually take the percentages and let’s talk about what that is. That’s four shots a game. Sh***y, but I promise we aren’t winning or losing games off of four shots,”
Ball explained.
He expanded on this point by stressing that a low volume of shot attempts combined with inconsistent playing time leads to misleadingly low shooting percentages when viewed in small sample sizes. On average, Ball has taken only 5.0 field-goal attempts per game this season — his lowest since his rookie year.
Context of Cleveland’s Defensive Strategy and Team Success
The Cavaliers have performed well this season, holding a 34-21 record and currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland has won five consecutive games recently and ranks among the best teams in defensive rating during that stretch. This defensive identity emphasizes ball control and strong perimeter defense from its guards, which has influenced Ball’s role and playing style.
Lonzo Ball’s Career and Current Free Agency Status
Over seven NBA seasons, Ball—once the No. 2 overall draft pick—has averaged 10.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game. His most productive season came in 2021-22 with the Chicago Bulls, where he shot 42.3 percent from three-point range before a knee injury caused him to miss the following two seasons.
Since returning in the 2024-25 season, his role has become more focused on secondary playmaking and defensive assignments at the point of attack, rather than serving as a primary scorer. After being waived by the Utah Jazz, Ball has entered free agency, leaving his next career step uncertain.
Ball Maintains That He Has Not Been Performing Poorly Overall
While acknowledging room for improvement, Ball rejected the idea that his overall play has been awful this season.
“Can I play better? Yes. Have I been playing terribly? I don’t think I have,”
he stated, reflecting his conflicted and tense position amid ongoing fan and media scrutiny.
How Zo’s been playing lately… the real breakdown 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/uKl8G56lvH
— Ball In The Family Podcast (@ballinthefampod) February 17, 2026
