Cavaliers Land Dennis Schroder And Keon Ellis In Bold NBA Trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a splash just days ahead of the NBA trade deadline, orchestrating a multi-team deal that sent shockwaves through the league and signaled a bold new direction for their roster. On February 1, 2026, the Cavaliers acquired veteran point guard Dennis Schroder and defensive-minded guard Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, sending forward De'Andre Hunter to Sacramento in exchange. The Chicago Bulls also emerged as a third party in the deal, landing forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks, further shaking up the Eastern Conference landscape.

This blockbuster trade arrives as the Cavaliers, currently sitting at 29-21, look to reinforce their backcourt in the midst of a challenging season. With Darius Garland still recovering from offseason surgery and battling a nagging foot injury, and Lonzo Ball struggling to find his rhythm off the bench, Cleveland’s need for reliable guard play has never been more pressing. Enter Dennis Schroder, a proven floor general with a knack for stepping up when called upon.

Schroder, 32, arrives in Cleveland after starting 14 of 40 games for the Kings this season, where he averaged 12.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 26.4 minutes per contest. His shooting splits—40.8% from the field and 34.3% from beyond the arc—suggest he remains a capable offensive threat, while his experience and quickness offer the Cavaliers a much-needed spark. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, "Schroder figures to step into a sizable role right away," especially with Garland sidelined and Ball struggling to produce consistently.

This latest move marks the fifth time Schroder has been traded in the last two years, a whirlwind stretch that’s seen him bounce from contender to contender. After signing a three-year, $44.4 million deal with the Kings in the offseason—following a brief stint with the Detroit Pistons—Schroder now finds himself back in the Midwest, poised to make an immediate impact for a Cavaliers squad eyeing a deep playoff run. He is set to earn $14.1 million this season, $14.8 million in 2026-27, and $15.5 million (with only $4.35 million guaranteed) in 2027-28, according to Spotrac.

Joining Schroder in Cleveland is Keon Ellis, a 26-year-old guard who has quietly built a reputation as a versatile perimeter defender. Ellis started five of 43 games with the Kings this season, averaging 5.6 points on 39.7% shooting, 1.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 17.6 minutes per game. Though his offensive numbers have dipped from last year’s breakout campaign—when he averaged 8.3 points on 48.9% shooting—Ellis brings athleticism and defensive grit to a Cavaliers rotation that has missed the presence of Isaac Okoro, who was traded to the Bulls last summer for Lonzo Ball. Ellis, who is in the final year of a three-year, $5.1 million contract, will be eligible to sign a three-year, $52 million extension beginning February 9, as reported by ESPN.

For the Cavaliers, this trade isn’t just about on-court upgrades; it’s also a significant financial maneuver. The deal reportedly creates about $50 million in salary and luxury tax savings for Cleveland this season, though the franchise remains the NBA’s only team currently in the second apron. With the trade deadline looming at 3 p.m. on February 5, speculation abounds that the Cavaliers could pursue additional moves to further reshape their roster and improve their cap situation.

On the other side of the trade, De'Andre Hunter heads to Sacramento after a brief but eventful stint with the Cavaliers. Hunter, 28, was originally drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019 before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he spent five and a half seasons. Cleveland acquired Hunter from Atlanta just before last year’s trade deadline, and he started 23 of 43 games for the Cavs this season, averaging 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 26.2 minutes. However, Hunter struggled to find consistency, shooting a career-low 42.3% from the field and just 30.8% from three-point range. With Max Strus sidelined by offseason foot surgery, Hunter was thrust into a starting role before eventually moving to the bench.

Hunter’s contract, a four-year, $90 million deal, runs through the 2026-27 season. He is making $23.3 million this year and is set to earn $24.9 million next season. The Kings are banking on Hunter’s size (6-foot-8, 227 pounds) and two-way potential to bolster their wing rotation as they embark on a roster overhaul under first-year general manager Scott Perry. As reported by ESPN, "The first domino has fallen on the Kings’ roster overhaul, and first-year general manager Scott Perry might not be done." With the Kings sitting at 12-38, the move signals a clear pivot toward retooling for the future.

The Bulls, meanwhile, pick up Dario Saric and two future second-round picks—one from the Cavaliers in 2027 (via the Denver Nuggets) and one from the Kings in 2029. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Kings’ pick going to the Bulls will be the least favorable of their selections from the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks. The acquisition of Saric and extra draft capital gives Chicago more flexibility as they navigate their own rebuilding process.

This trade is the first major domino to fall ahead of what promises to be an eventful NBA trade deadline. With just days remaining until the February 5 cutoff, teams across the league are scrambling to position themselves for the stretch run. The Cavaliers, with their new additions, are hoping to solidify their standing in the competitive Central Division and make a push for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

For Cleveland fans, the arrival of Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis injects fresh energy and optimism into a season that has seen its share of ups and downs. Will Schroder’s veteran savvy and Ellis’s defensive tenacity be enough to help the Cavaliers weather the storm of injuries and inconsistency? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the Cavaliers aren’t standing still as the NBA’s trade winds swirl.

As the league’s attention now shifts to the days leading up to the deadline, all eyes will be on Cleveland’s next move. For now, the Cavaliers have signaled their intent to compete—and perhaps, to surprise—in the ever-unpredictable NBA landscape.