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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs are making a deal ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, sending De’Andre Hunter to the Kings, sources confirmed to cleveland.com.
The Cavs will get Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis in return. It’s part of a three-team deal that also includes the Bulls getting Dario Saric from the Kings and two future second-round picks. Cleveland is sending the Bulls the 2027 second-round pick they own from the Denver Nuggets. Sacramento is sending a 2029 second-round pick to the Bulls.
Hunter was acquired by the Cavs on Feb. 6, 2025. He was supposed to be the missing piece for Cleveland’s lingering small forward issue. But that didn’t come to fruition. Less than a year later, he’s being traded again.
This move could help get the Cavs under the second apron next season. Ellis is on an expiring $2.3 million contract, and Cleveland was already facing multiple contractual decisions with players currently on the roster.
But Cleveland might not be done yet.
The 2-for-1 deal now fills all 15 of the Cavs’ standard roster spots. If the team decides to convert Nae’Qwan Tomlin from his two-way contract — which is nearing the 50-game active limit — another roster move would be required. One avenue would be moving off Lonzo Ball’s $10 million contract, particularly with a club option looming at the end of the season, making him the most logical salary to reroute.
Another possibility would be the buyout market. Veterans such as Larry Nance Jr. or Thomas Bryant could become available later in the season, opening a spot without requiring a trade.
The deal brings additional ball-handling depth at a moment when Cleveland needs it. Darius Garland continues working his way back after a right great toe sprain, following offseason surgery on his left great toe that left him operating at roughly 70 percent even before the most recent injury. Max Strus, who underwent offseason surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot, has yet to play this season. Craig Porter Jr. is also sidelined with knee soreness.
The additions of Ellis and Schröder bring reliable options as the Cavs navigate a grueling road stretch ahead of the All-Star break.
Schröder, a veteran journeyman in the NBA, has played in 40 games this season. This season, he’s averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 40.8% from the field and 34.3% from deep in 26.4 minutes per game. He was also named the 2025 EuroBasket MVP.
The 32-year-old is owed $14.1 million, $14.8 million and $15.5 million on the final three years of his deal — that he signed last summer to join the Kings — with the final year partially guaranteed.
Ellis is in his fourth season in the league and is averaging 5.6 points, 0.6 assists and 1.3 rebounds on 39.7 % from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc in 17.6 minutes per game. He is one of two players in the NBA averaging 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per 36 minutes this season, joining Detroit’s Ausar Thompson.
The 26-year-old is eligible to sign up to a 3-year, $52 million extension starting on Feb. 9.