The NBA trade market has delivered another major shake-up just days before the deadline, as the Sacramento Kings have officially acquired forward De'Andre Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal that also involves the Chicago Bulls. The move, confirmed by multiple league sources and first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, sees the Kings part ways with guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, who head to Cleveland, while Dario Saric and a pair of second-round picks land in Chicago. This flurry of activity comes with the February 5 trade deadline looming and both the Kings and Cavaliers eager to reshape their rosters for the stretch run.
For Sacramento, the acquisition of Hunter addresses a glaring need on the wing, a position that has lacked depth behind Keegan Murray. Hunter, a 28-year-old, seven-year NBA veteran, brings a combination of size, defensive prowess, and scoring ability that the Kings have been searching for. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 227 pounds, Hunter has started 23 of 43 games this season for Cleveland, averaging 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in just over 26 minutes per contest. While his three-point shooting has dipped to 30.8%—a career low—he remains a credible threat from deep, having hovered around 40% in previous campaigns.
"Cleveland and Sacramento have discussed a framework that would send Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter to the Kings for Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Dario Saric, league sources told HoopsHype," the site reported earlier this week. The finalized deal, however, included a third team: the Chicago Bulls. According to KCRA, Saric and two second-round picks (one from the Cavs in 2027 and one from the Kings in 2029) are heading to Chicago. This structure allowed all teams to address specific roster and financial needs, with the Cavaliers notably creating about $50 million in salary and luxury tax savings this season.
For the Cavaliers, the move marks the end of Hunter's brief tenure in Cleveland. Acquired from the Atlanta Hawks just before last year's deadline, Hunter never quite found his rhythm with the Cavs. He began the season as a starter, especially with Max Strus sidelined due to foot surgery, but soon saw his role diminish with the emergence of Jaylon Tyson. Hunter's production—13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 threes per game—was solid, but not enough to justify his hefty contract, which pays him $23.3 million this season and nearly $25 million next year before expiring after the 2026-27 campaign.
From Cleveland's perspective, the deal is as much about financial flexibility as it is about roster construction. The Cavaliers, who have underachieved to a 29-21 record, remain the NBA's only team in the second apron, a punitive salary cap threshold designed to limit high-spending franchises. With the trade, the Cavs not only shed Hunter's salary but also add two pieces who could address immediate needs: Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis.
Schroder, a 32-year-old German point guard, brings veteran savvy and playoff experience to a Cavaliers backcourt that has been hampered by injuries. Darius Garland continues to recover from offseason toe surgery, while Lonzo Ball has struggled to provide consistent production off the bench. Schroder has started 14 of 40 games for the Kings this season, averaging 12.8 points on 40.8% shooting (34.3% from three), 5.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per contest. His contract, a three-year, $44.4 million deal, runs through 2027-28, providing Cleveland with both stability and flexibility, as only $4.35 million of his final year is guaranteed.
Keon Ellis, meanwhile, offers the Cavaliers a formidable perimeter defender—something they have sorely missed since trading Isaac Okoro to Chicago for Lonzo Ball last summer. Ellis, 26, has appeared in 43 games for Sacramento this season, starting five, and is averaging 5.6 points on 39.7% shooting (36.8% from deep), 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 17.6 minutes per game. His current three-year, $5.1 million contract expires this summer, but he will be eligible for a lucrative three-year, $52 million extension beginning February 9. Ellis entered the league as an undrafted rookie out of Alabama and quickly made a name for himself with his defensive tenacity and athleticism.
For the Kings, the trade comes at a critical juncture. Sacramento has been mired in an eight-game losing streak, which has threatened to derail their playoff ambitions. The addition of Hunter is seen as a calculated gamble to inject new life into the roster and provide head coach Mike Brown with more options on the wing. Hunter is expected to slot in alongside Keegan Murray, giving the Kings two versatile forwards capable of defending multiple positions and knocking down outside shots. "Hunter will give the Kings another wing to pair with Keegan Murray," noted KCRA, highlighting the immediate impact the team hopes to see.
There had been earlier rumors of a different deal involving Malik Monk and Ellis heading to Cleveland for Hunter, but the Cavaliers reportedly balked at taking on Monk's $41.77 million contract over the next two seasons. Instead, the finalized trade allows all parties to address their respective needs without overextending financially.
The Chicago Bulls, for their part, receive Dario Saric and two future second-round picks, providing them with additional assets as they continue to retool their roster. Saric, a versatile forward, could carve out a rotation role in Chicago, while the draft picks offer future flexibility.
As for Hunter, his arrival in Sacramento comes with both promise and questions. Will a change of scenery help him rediscover his shooting touch and fulfill the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft? Can he stay healthy and provide consistent two-way play for a Kings team desperate to end its recent skid? Only time will tell, but the Kings are betting that Hunter's combination of size, experience, and defensive ability will pay dividends as they push for a playoff spot.
With the NBA trade deadline set for February 5 at noon Pacific, there's still time for more moves, and both the Cavaliers and Kings could remain active. For now, though, this blockbuster deal stands as one of the most intriguing storylines of the season, reshaping the futures of three franchises and setting the stage for a dramatic second half. Sacramento fans will be watching closely to see when Hunter makes his debut, eager to see if this bold move can help turn their season around.