Despite striking out on Jeremy Sochan and Haywood Highsmith in recent pursuits, the Golden State Warriors are poised to emerge as the ultimate victors of the post-trade deadline free agency frenzy by landing former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball.
The potential addition of Ball to the Warriors’ roster is stirring up plenty of debate, with fan reactions ranging from excitement to skepticism amid reports of Golden State’s interest. At 28 years old, Ball brings a tantalizing upside that arguably surpasses what Sochan, Highsmith, and other available options could offer.
Lonzo Ball could still be the best move for the Warriors It seemed like a deal was brewing when Ball was dealt from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz last week, only to be waived shortly after, thrusting the veteran guard into free agency.
However, the buzz quieted down following a report from NBA insider Marc Stein early this week, indicating the Warriors might cool on the idea after promoting Pat Spencer from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.
“There were some fresh rumbles over the weekend that the Warriors might opt not to sign Lonzo Ball in the end after converting Pat Spencer from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract,” Stein noted.
But with Sochan and Highsmith off the board, Ball remains the prime target for Golden State—and for good reason. Even if some fans are lukewarm on the injury-riddled guard, Ball’s proven NBA ceiling eclipses that of Highsmith and Sochan, and he could mesh even better with the Warriors’ system than the latter.
In his last fully healthy season, Ball posted impressive averages of 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc. He followed that up with 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 35 games for the Chicago Bulls in 2021-22 before injuries derailed his momentum.
Of course, the risks are real: Ball might never recapture that form after sitting out nearly three full years. Dismissing his potential entirely after just 12 months back in action feels premature for a player still in his prime at 28.
Factor in the Warriors’ current limbo—not tanking but not quite title favorites—and snagging Ball on a minimum deal for their final roster spot is a low-stakes bet with high-reward potential.
If Golden State can coax even a fraction of Ball’s pre-injury prowess, this signing could catapult them to the top of the free agency winners’ list. Sure, it might not pan out beyond a brief experiment, but the upside makes it a swing worth taking—and one that could redefine their season.