Ball’s 2025-26 season was supposed to be a comeback story. After missing two full seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) due to a devastating left knee injury that required a meniscus and cartilage transplant.
In 35 games with Cleveland, Ball averaged just 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game. His shooting percentages cratered to career lows: 30.1% from the field and 27.2% from three-point range
“I don’t feel like I’m playing as badly as people are saying. I know I’m the scapegoat right now. But look, that comes with the name though and that comes with what they brought me in for,” Ball said .
He argued that his low volume just four field goal attempts per game meant his struggles weren’t costing his team games.
“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.
At the February 5 trade deadline, Cleveland moved Ball to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal that also involved the Atlanta Hawks . The Jazz, in full rebuild mode, had no interest in keeping him. He was waived immediately .
The Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets both emerged as potential suitors for Ball in the buyout market. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors had their “sights set on adding Lonzo Ball” .
According to a report from ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the reason both teams passed is deeply concerning for Ball’s future.
“Although Ball played in 35 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season before being traded, there are concerns among many league personnel that the former second-overall pick may not play again over concerns with his medical records” .
Ball has one year remaining on his contract with a team option for 2026-27 , but that doesn’t matter if no team is willing to sign him.
Over seven NBA seasons, the former UCLA star has averaged 10.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds . He was once viewed as a franchise cornerstone a 6’6″ point guard with elite vision and defensive instincts.
But his body has betrayed him. Since the 2021-22 season, he’s played just 70 total games . The knee injuries that cost him over 1,000 days of action may ultimately cost him his career.
Lonzo Ball believes he can still play. He believes he was made a scapegoat. But the league’s silence speaks louder than his words.