Cavs linked to Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons in rumors

The Cavs might be looking to add talent before the deadline.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will find themselves in plenty of rumors as we head toward the NBA trade deadline. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently offered up two names who could be available on the buyout market, Ben Simmons and Lonzo Ball.

Let’s make two things clear. First, Windhorst is only suggesting two players who he believes fit the mold of what Cleveland should be looking for. Second, this is a discussion about buyout candidates — not trade targets. Windhorst also said in the same segment with ESPN Cleveland that he has not personally heard anything of note in regard to the Cavaliers making a swing at the trade deadline.

Now that we’ve covered the bases, let’s discuss the details of Simmons and Ball.

Simmons is a player who, on paper, would be a huge addition for the Cavaliers. He’s a 6’10” forward who can defend opposing wings and provide playmaking on the bench. What this doesn’t account for, however, is the reality of who Simmons has become. He’s been a dud on both ends of the floor since his fall from grace in Philly — and is likely bringing a larger risk than anyone can account for.

The Cavaliers wouldn’t be losing anything from signing Simmons on the buyout market. Yet, they run the risk of disrupting their team chemistry, which is something they currently hang their hat on. Simmons hasn’t exactly been known for his locker-room presence or his willingness to play hard for a team in recent years.

On the other hand, Ball is someone the Cavs wouldn’t have to worry about. By all accounts, he fits into the Cavaliers’ scheme and gives them another elite perimeter defender. The issue here is availability. Ball missed the previous two seasons with concerning knee injuries. He’s played 26 games this season — but it’s hard to know if the 27-year-old has truly turned a corner as far as health goes.

Ball makes sense as a 6’6” guard who excels at creating plays and defending multiple positions. He’s averaged 7 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds in his 20.8 minutes per game with the Chicago Bulls this season. To expand this one step further, Ball could become a decent backup option if Cleveland makes a separate trade involving Caris LeVert or Isaac Okoro, ahead of the deadline.

You can make the case for either player. After all, Cleveland is really missing the archetype that Ball and Simmons both fill, at their best. The question is how confident are you in either player translating to actual productivity on the court? And will they even become available, to begin with?