The Boston Celtics have already made their most anticipated pre-deadline move by trading Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vučević and a second-round pick. With Simons gone, the backcourt rotation is now noticeably thinner behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
The Celtics still have some room to maneuver before the February 5, 2026, 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, and one low-cost, high-upside name that has been linked to them in the past is suddenly back in play: Lonzo Ball.
What happened with Lonzo Ball today
On Wednesday afternoon, Lonzo Ball was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz as part of a multi-team deal. However, the Jazz do not plan to keep him.
According to Shams Charania (ESPN):
“The Jazz are expected to waive Lonzo Ball, allowing him to be a free agent, sources tell ESPN.”
Once officially waived, Ball will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team — including Boston — for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Lonzo Ball in 2025-26 (with Cleveland)
- 4.6 PPG
- 4.0 RPG
- 3.9 APG
- 30.1% FG (very limited sample)
- Very low minutes due to ongoing recovery management and injury caution
The numbers don’t look impressive, but context matters:
- Ball is still being brought along very slowly after multiple major knee surgeries and chronic issues.
- He has shown flashes of elite playmaking and defensive instincts when healthy.
- His career 3-point shooting peak was 42.3% (2021-22 with Chicago), and he was once one of the best connective passers and transition playmakers in the league.
Why the Celtics could be a realistic landing spot
Several factors make Boston a logical fit if they want to add Ball:
- Need for backcourt depth After moving Simons, the drop-off behind White and Pritchard is significant. Ball could serve as a high-IQ third guard who can run the second unit and create for others.
- Low financial risk As a likely minimum-salary signing (or close to it) for the rest of the season, Ball carries almost no cost. Boston has the financial flexibility to absorb him.
- Championship-contender role Ball has repeatedly said he wants to play meaningful basketball on a winning team. Boston can offer him a real shot at a title — something very few franchises can match right now.
- Defensive fit When healthy, Ball is a plus defender with length and instincts. He could spell White in certain matchups and give Boston another long, switchable guard.
- Potential upside if the shot returns If even a portion of his old shooting stroke comes back, Ball becomes a valuable rotation piece on a contending team.
Realistic expectations
- Best-case scenario: Ball signs a minimum deal, stays healthy, regains some confidence and shooting touch, and becomes a valuable bench playmaker/defender for the playoff run.
- Realistic scenario: He provides solid backup minutes, good defense, and playmaking when called upon — but remains limited offensively.
- Worst-case scenario: Lingering knee issues or rust prevent him from contributing meaningfully.
Even in the realistic-to-best-case range, he would still be a very low-cost depth addition for a team that just spent significant assets to get Vučević.
With the trade deadline hours away, Boston still has time to act — either via trade or by preparing to sign Ball quickly after his expected waiver.
Celtics fans: Would you take a flier on Lonzo Ball for the rest of the season on a minimum deal? Or do you prefer they stand pat after the Vučević move?