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CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers‘ trade deadline activity and repositioning to get under the NBA’s second apron has taken a second step.
The Cavs have agreed to deal guard Lonzo Ball and two second-round picks to the Utah Jazz, according to an ESPN report. Neither team has confirmed the trade. The two second-round picks are being sent to Utah to facilitate the deal.
The Jazz are expected to waive Ball, according to an NBA on Prime report.
Ball had been among the league’s worst shooters this season, effectively eliminating him from the regular rotation and making him a prime salary dump as the Cavs attempt to dip below the second apron, which would allow them to make a wider range of trades and other transactions.
That process began with the De’Andre Hunter trade to the Sacramento Kings, which not only brought back Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder but shaved roughly $50 million in cap and luxury tax savings. Still, the Cavs were around $14 million over the second apron, which in turn led to this trade involving Ball, who was making $10 million this season.
These smaller moves related to cap space could be a precursor for a much larger trade, potentially involving either Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo or Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
The Cavs already pulled off one blockbuster move, sending Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden. Garland posted a message to Cleveland after the trade.
Lonzo Ball stats
Ball had a few positive spurts with the Cavaliers this season, but his recent shooting woes relegated him to a much smaller role. For the season, he’s shooting just 30.1% from the floor. Among players with at least 50 shot attempts, that ranks dead last in the NBA.
Lonzo Ball contract
Ball had a salary of $10 million for this season and a $10 million team option for 2026-2027.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.