The Washington Wizards have plenty of eyes on them as the NBA trade deadline approaches and for good reason.
With a blockbuster trade already under general manager Will Dawkins and President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger's belt to start trade season with the acquisition of four-time All-Star Trae Young, there's no doubt that Washington is active on the trade front.
Not to mention, the Wizards have been linked to several big-time names on the trade market with the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Jonathan Kuminga and even Zion Williamson being mentioned as names to watch for Washington heading up to the February 5th trade deadline.
However, one name in specific that the Wizards have been linked to as of late is proving exactly what the team's strategy is for the deadline.
Wizards interested in Lonzo Ball
The latest name on the rumor mill for the Wizards is former No. 2 overall pick and current backup guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lonzo Ball.
Ball was dealt to the Cavaliers in the offseason in exchange for former lottery pick Isaac Okoro in a straight player-for-player swap between the Cavs and the Chicago Bulls.
The addition of the UCLA product offered Cleveland a pass-first guard to come off the bench and offer a defensive presence with high-upside as a playmaker.
However, the addition of the 28-year-old hasn't exactly matched the expectations that the Cavaliers' decision-makers had for him when he joined the roster.
Averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 30.1% from field goal range and 27.2% from beyond the arc in 20.8 minutes per game, Ball has struggled throughout his fresh start in Cleveland.
Whether it's due to his role in Kenny Atkinson's system or the obvious elephant in the room with his previous knee injury that nearly ended his career, Ball has become a major trade candidate to watch for the Cavaliers ahead of Thursday's deadline with the team looking to offload his $10 million contract.
That's where the interest for Washington' comes into play.
According to NBA Insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who recently reported the Wizards interest in the guard, Washington is eyeing Ball seemingly in hopes of being incentivized to take on his contract.
"Lonzo Ball was a potential trade candidate that the Wizards have checked in on.," Scotto said. "The Wizards have been open to being incentivized with draft compensation"
Washington could be eyeing the market to land unwanted contracts in hopes of acquiring addition draft capital or even young players, whether that come through an addition of Ball or another player.
Regardless, it's clear that the Wizards have a strategy they're looking to follow as trade season heats up.