As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, the rumor mill is heating up-and the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves right in the thick of it. With an eye on trimming salary and reshaping their roster, Cleveland is actively shopping De'Andre Hunter, and one team that keeps popping up in connection? The Los Angeles Lakers.
According to reports, the Cavaliers are having ongoing discussions about moving Hunter, and league sources suggest a deal could materialize within the week. Cleveland acquired Hunter from the Hawks with the hope that he’d be a long-term piece, but the return on that investment hasn’t quite panned out. Now, they’re looking to recoup some of the value they gave up, though that may be a tall order.
Hunter’s fit in Cleveland has been rocky this season. After beginning the year in the starting lineup, he’s since been relegated to the bench, and his production hasn’t matched the expectations that followed him from Atlanta.
Whether it’s inconsistency on the court or concerns about durability, his stock has taken a hit-and that’s complicating trade talks. With a contract north of $20 million for next season and a history of injuries, some front offices reportedly view him as more of a financial liability than an asset.
Still, there’s interest-and the Lakers are among the most intrigued. L.A. has been in the market for a true three-and-D wing since the offseason, and Hunter checks a lot of boxes.
He’s got the size, the defensive chops, and the ability to space the floor when he’s right. That’s the kind of player who could slot in nicely alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, especially as the Lakers look to make a second-half push.
But pulling off a deal won’t be simple. The Lakers would likely need to rope in a third team to make the money work, and they’d almost certainly have to part with rotation players.
Rui Hachimura, Jared Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent are among the names being floated as potential pieces in a Hunter deal. According to league insiders, L.A. has shown a willingness to move Hachimura-not as a sign of selling, but as part of a broader strategy to upgrade the roster and stay competitive.
For Cleveland, this is about recalibrating. They gambled on Hunter and haven’t seen the return they hoped for. Now, they’re trying to pivot before the deadline, looking for a trade partner willing to bet on the upside that made Hunter a top-five pick in the first place.
For the Lakers, this is about finding the right piece to round out a roster that still sees itself as a contender in the West. Hunter may not be a perfect fit right now, but in the right system, with the right role, he could be exactly what they need.
The clock is ticking. And if the buzz is to be believed, De’Andre Hunter could be on the move very soon.