Slip potted an itowigawa juniper into a nicer "looking" ceramic pot. It was in a plastic pot for a couple years and did fine.
The ceramic pot has drainage holes but the top of the soil looks wetter than in did in the plastic pot.
My wondering is if I could cut down a pond basket and slip pot into that?
I don't think I've seen much discussion anywhere about JUNIPERS in pond baskets.

It just "SEEMS" like it would be okay.

Of course it would be fine in a pond basket, any tree would. I am not sure what you think is wrong, if the soil is wet don't water until it dries out, if it rains there should be no need to water.

If it rains for extended time, I will put it under the porch overhang.