The NBA trade deadline is just days away, and after a relatively quiet start to trade season, we finally got another shake-up - this time, a three-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls. De’Andre Hunter is on the move again, less than a year after landing in Cleveland, and each team walks away with a different set of priorities addressed.
Let’s break down what this trade means on the floor, in the books, and in the bigger picture for all three franchises.
Cavaliers Receive: Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis
For Cleveland, this move is as much about the bottom line as it is about basketball. The Cavs were staring down the barrel of the second apron - that dreaded luxury tax threshold that doesn’t just cost money but also tightens the screws on roster flexibility. Trading away De’Andre Hunter’s $23.3 million salary for the combined $16.4 million of Schröder and Ellis saves the Cavs roughly $7 million in salary and, more importantly, an estimated $45 to $50 million in luxury tax penalties.
That’s a massive financial swing, and while it doesn’t pull them entirely out of the second apron, it gives them some breathing room.
From a roster standpoint, this move is about patching up the backcourt depth that’s been missing since Ty Jerome left for Memphis. Cleveland tried to fill that hole by flipping Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball, but Ball has struggled mightily, shooting under 30% from the field. Enter Dennis Schröder - a veteran guard who can push the pace, create off the dribble, and give the Cavs a reliable option off the bench.
Now, Schröder isn’t a seamless fit. He’s another ball-dominant guard joining a team that already has two of those in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
Defensively, he brings similar size-related issues, and there’s a question of how many minutes he can realistically log alongside Cleveland’s All-Star backcourt. But as a third guard - the role Jerome thrived in - Schröder could be a stabilizing presence.
He’s under contract for two more years, though only next season is guaranteed. That gives Cleveland some flexibility if they decide to pivot again this summer.
Keon Ellis, meanwhile, is a short-term rental with some upside. He’s on an expiring deal and is expected to draw interest as a 3-and-D guard in free agency.
At 6'4", he’s not the biggest wing, but he plays bigger than his size and can slot in next to any of Cleveland’s guards in a pinch. He brings shooting and defensive energy, but with Mitchell, Garland, and now Schröder ahead of him, his minutes may be limited - unless another move is coming.
Big picture for Cleveland: This is a financial win first, a depth move second. The Cavs are still trying to find the right mix around their star backcourt, and this deal buys them some flexibility while giving them a veteran guard who can help now.
Kings Receive: De’Andre Hunter
The Kings have been a mess this season - and not just because of injuries. The roster construction has been puzzling from the jump, and the offseason additions of Schröder and Russell Westbrook only added to the confusion.
This trade, though, feels like a step in the right direction.
By flipping Schröder and Keon Ellis for De’Andre Hunter, Sacramento adds a wing who, at his best, fits exactly what this team has been missing: size, defense, and some scoring punch on the perimeter. Hunter was a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate last season with the Hawks before being traded to Cleveland, where he had a solid finish to the regular season but struggled in the playoffs - as did most of the Cavs.
This year has been rough. Hunter’s averaging 14.0 points per game, his lowest mark in five years, and shooting just 42.3% from the field and 30.8% from deep - both career lows outside of his rookie year. But the talent is still there, and Sacramento is betting on a bounce-back.
Hunter’s presence alongside Keegan Murray on the wings gives the Kings a potential defensive duo that can switch, cover ground, and - in theory - stretch the floor. If Hunter finds his rhythm again, this could be a sneaky good move for a team that desperately needs some stability and identity.
He’s under contract for next season at $24.9 million, so Sacramento isn’t just renting him. They’ve got time to see if he fits into their long-term plans - or they can flip him again next season if things don’t click.
Big picture for Sacramento: This is a calculated buy-low move on a player with two-way upside. It won’t fix everything overnight, but it’s a step toward building a more coherent roster.
Grade: B
Bulls Receive: Dario Šarić, Two Second-Round Picks (2027 from Cleveland, 2029 from Sacramento)
This part of the deal is all about asset collection.
Chicago will waive Jevon Carter to make room for Šarić, who’s barely seen the floor this season - just five games and 41 total minutes. But in the past, Šarić has been a capable stretch big, and if he gets minutes behind Nikola Vučević, he could give the Bulls a little extra spacing in the frontcourt.
Still, this isn’t about Šarić. It’s about the picks. Second-rounders in 2027 and 2029 aren’t headline-grabbers, but they’re useful chips to have down the line - whether to stash a prospect or include in a future trade.
Big picture for Chicago: This is a classic low-risk, low-reward move. They open up a roster spot, pick up a couple of future assets, and maybe get a little something from Šarić in the meantime.
Final Takeaways
This isn’t the kind of blockbuster that shifts the balance of power in the league, but it’s the kind of deal that sets the stage for the next wave of moves. Cleveland trims its tax bill and adds some backcourt insurance.
Sacramento takes a swing on a wing with upside. Chicago pockets a couple of picks and keeps their options open.
With the trade deadline looming, this might just be the warm-up act. There’s still time for another domino - or three - to fall.