The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the teams to watch at this year’s deadline, as they already made a trade for a superstar in James Harden. And just today, they dealt Lonzo Ball to the Utah Jazz.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Ball is expected to be waived by the Jazz, allowing him to become a free agent. With that in mind, there are probably a few teams that could desire his services, especially after deadline moves.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been a buyer at the deadline, trading star guard Anfernee Simons for Chicago Bulls All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. However, now that they’ve done that, they don’t have a backup point guard for Payton Pritchard.
Enter Ball. He’s set to make $10 million this season, and $10 million next season if his next team picks up the club option. So this could be a win-win for Boston. They get a veteran replacement for Simons who costs $17 million less, and if he does well, they can get him for another year on a cheap contract. And if he doesn’t, they cut him loose after this season.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
This would be a backup plan to a backup plan for the T-Wolves. They’re a top suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and if they don’t land him, then getting Ja Morant is at the top of their list.
If both those fall through, they still need a replacement for Mike Conley. Ball is a great playmaker too, so it could be to Minnesota’s benefit to grab him, as they currently don’t have a proven true point guard on their team.
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Miami Heat
Once again, a backup plan. Currently, it seems the Heat are locked in on Ja Morant, but on the chance they don’t get him, they still need a playmaking guard.
While Ball isn’t a superstar by any means, he could hold the line this season, and either become a backup next year if the Heat choose to keep him, or let him walk in free agency as they pursue a big fish.
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