Cavs and Kings Make a Blockbuster Trade

The NBA trade deadline has set the stage for some significant roster changes, as the Cleveland Cavaliers have officially traded forward De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings. In return, the Cavs will receive veteran point guard Dennis Schröder and shooting guard Keon Ellis. Shams Charania from ESPN broke the news, highlighting the strategic implications for all three teams involved.

Details of the Trade

This move also includes the Chicago Bulls, who will take in Kings forward Dario Saric along with two future second-round picks. Cleveland’s decision to trade Hunter will create approximately $50 million in salary and tax savings for this season, as reported by Charania. These financial adjustments are crucial for the Cavs as they look to reconfigure their roster for both immediate and future success.

Updated Rosters: Who Remains? <table> <tr> <th>Cleveland Cavaliers</th> <th>Sacramento Kings</th> <th>Chicago Bulls</th> </tr> <tr> <td>PG: Darius Garland, Dennis Schröder, Craig Porter Jr.</td> <td>PG: Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk</td> <td>PG: Josh Giddey, Tre Jones</td> </tr> <tr> <td>SG: Donovan Mitchell, Keon Ellis, Sam Merrill, Tyrese Proctor</td> <td>SG: Zach LaVine, Nique Clifford</td> <td>SG: Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu</td> </tr> <tr> <td>SF: Dean Wade, Jaylon Tyson</td> <td>SF: DeMar DeRozan, De'Andre Hunter, Doug McDermott</td> <td>SF: Isaac Okoro, Kevin Huerter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>PF: Evan Mobley, Nae'Qwan Tomlin</td> <td>PF: Precious Achiuwa, Dylan Cardwell</td> <td>PF: Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams</td> </tr> <tr> <td>C: Jarrett Allen, Thomas Bryant</td> <td>C: Domantas Sabonis, Maxime Raynaud</td> <td>C: Nikola Vucevic, Dario Saric, Jalen Smith</td> </tr> </table>

De'Andre Hunter's Career Journey

Hunter’s move to the Kings comes after an eventful start to his season. The 28-year-old was originally traded to Cleveland from the Atlanta Hawks in February 2025, making a name for himself as a solid wing player despite a history of injuries. Selected fourth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Hawks, he showcased his scoring talent, averaging 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting nearly 45% from the field during his time in Atlanta.

In his stint with the Cavaliers so far, Hunter has performed reasonably well, averaging 14.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in the 2025-26 season. However, his shooting efficiency has dropped slightly, with a field goal percentage of 42.3% and a three-point percentage of just 30.8%. Despite these challenges, he managed to end the previous season shooting 42.6% from three-point range.

The Kings’ Ambitious Outlook

For the Sacramento Kings, acquiring Hunter is part of an ambitious plan to bolster their roster. Currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 12-38 record, the Kings are hoping Hunter can bring the much-needed consistency they lack. Pairing him with familiar stars like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine could help jumpstart a turnaround for the franchise. The Kings will be looking to give Hunter the necessary support to tap into his potential, especially from beyond the arc.

Bulls Enhance Their Roster

The Chicago Bulls, meanwhile, positioned themselves well by adding Dario Saric and acquiring two future second-round picks. Saric’s experience and versatile play could complement the Bulls as they make their playoff push, providing depth and stability to their frontcourt in addition to their emerging backcourt talents.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for All

This trade signifies a new chapter for the involved teams, altering the dynamics of their rosters as they strive for different goals this season. The Cavaliers will look to maximize their financial flexibility, the Kings aim to find solid footing in the standings, and the Bulls continue to tweak their roster for future competitiveness. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the teams and their paths forward in the NBA.