Lonzo Ball trade sends guard out of Cavaliers, with Jock Landale rerouted

Lonzo Ball is on the move again after the Cleveland Cavaliers shipped him out in a three-team transaction that also pushed center Jock Landale to a new stop. The wrinkle: Ball is expected to be waived by Utah, setting him up to hit free agency almost immediately after the deal, a rare outcome that underscores how much the trade was driven by roster and payroll mechanics rather than a direct on-court swap.

The moves landed late Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 (ET), as teams jockeyed ahead of the trade deadline and tried to clear space for other additions.

Lonzo Ball trade: what the Cavaliers actually did

Cleveland sent Ball to Utah along with two second-round picks. In return, the Cavaliers received two second-round picks, effectively converting Ball’s contract slot into draft capital and flexibility.

Ball’s role in Cleveland never stabilized this season. He appeared in 35 games and produced career-low scoring numbers, averaging 4.6 points with 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while shooting 30.1% from the field and 27.2% from three. Those numbers made it harder for the Cavs to justify carrying his salary as the roster shifted toward win-now veterans and tighter rotation decisions.

Ball’s contract is also a major part of the story: he is owed $10 million this season and $10 million next season. Moving that money off the books helps Cleveland manage tax pressure and keep options open for the next move.

Why Utah is expected to waive Lonzo

Utah’s expected waiver plan makes Ball more of a temporary placeholder than a long-term acquisition. For rebuilding or retooling teams, taking on a contract briefly—especially when it comes attached to draft picks—can be a way to stock assets without committing to minutes or a role.

If waived, Ball becomes a free agent who can sign elsewhere once he clears waivers, opening the door for teams looking for a buy-low guard option. His value case would be based on defense, size, passing, and the possibility that a simplified role in a new environment could lift his efficiency.

Where Jock Landale fits into the same chain

Jock Landale’s portion of the transaction moved quickly: Utah dealt him to the Atlanta Hawks for cash considerations. That means the Jazz used Landale as a movable piece to facilitate the broader reshuffle while avoiding a crowded frontcourt, and Atlanta picked up an experienced big without giving up a player in return.

Landale’s inclusion matters because it shows how multi-team deals often work in practice: one team targets flexibility, another grabs an immediate roster player, and a third acts as the conduit that makes salaries and roster spots line up.

Quick breakdown of the deal (ET)

What it means for the Cavaliers rotation

Cleveland’s priority now is reducing redundancy in the backcourt and clarifying ballhandling roles around its top creators. Ball, when healthy and in rhythm, can help with tempo and defense, but the shooting dip and inconsistent availability made him a tough fit on a roster trying to tighten its playoff rotation.

By turning Ball into picks, the Cavaliers keep more control over future roster-building while limiting the risk of carrying a non-core contract into next season. The short-term impact is likely fewer moving parts at guard and a clearer minute distribution, especially in lineups built to maximize spacing and late-game shot creation.

What to watch next for Lonzo and the Cavs

The next 48–72 hours should answer the biggest practical questions:

• Waiver outcome: If Utah follows through, Ball’s free agency becomes immediate news.

• Landing spot: Teams with playmaking needs and defensive holes could take a flier, but his next contract terms will signal how the league is valuing him right now.

• Cavs follow-up move: Cleveland’s added flexibility can be used to make one more deadline adjustment, either for depth or for a specific matchup need.

For now, the bottom line is simple: the Cavaliers moved on from Lonzo, the Jazz appear poised to turn him into a short-term asset play, and Jock Landale is headed to Atlanta as part of the same deadline shuffle.

Sources consulted: NBA.com, ESPN, Reuters, The Salt Lake Tribune