I like the interaction ideas, and I think both 1 and 2 could work the way you describe, but 3 would probably be better solved inside the base. The bearing balls

I like the interaction ideas, and I think both 1 and 2 could work the way you describe, but 3 would probably be better solved inside the base. The bearing balls could be spring-loaded so when you press down, you engage with some other surface that acts like a brake? Not super sure if that's what users would want, tough, it would probably make "throwing" the cursor harder.