As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, the rumor mill is starting to heat up - and the Cleveland Cavaliers are right in the thick of it. One name drawing serious attention: De’Andre Hunter. The veteran wing, who landed in Cleveland via trade from Atlanta, is now reportedly back on the market as the Cavs look to trim salary and recalibrate their roster.
According to multiple league insiders, the Cavaliers are actively engaged in trade talks involving Hunter, and there’s growing momentum that he could be on the move in the coming days. The Cavs had hoped to recoup the kind of value they gave up to acquire him, but that’s proving to be a tall order. Still, the front office seems motivated to find a deal - and one team that keeps surfacing in these discussions is the Los Angeles Lakers.
For the Lakers, the interest in Hunter makes a lot of sense. They’ve been in the market for a reliable three-and-D wing since the offseason, and Hunter fits that mold when he’s healthy and in rhythm. His size, defensive versatility, and ability to stretch the floor could be exactly what L.A. needs to round out a roster that’s been searching for consistency on the wing.
But making a deal work won’t be simple. Hunter is owed over $20 million next season, and that kind of salary isn’t easy to absorb - especially for a team like the Lakers, who are already navigating a tight financial picture. A trade would likely require a multi-team framework and some tough decisions involving current rotation players.
Names like Rui Hachimura, Jared Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent have all been floated as potential trade chips. League sources say the Lakers are open to moving Hachimura in particular, but only as part of a package that helps them improve now. This isn’t about selling off assets - it’s about buying in to make a real push.
For Cleveland, the situation is a bit more layered. Hunter hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this season.
After starting the year in the lineup, he’s since been moved to the bench, and his production has been inconsistent. The Cavs were likely hoping he’d replicate the form he showed in Atlanta - a steady two-way contributor who could defend multiple positions and knock down open shots.
But injuries and uneven play have made that vision harder to realize.
That’s part of the challenge in moving him. While Hunter still has upside and playoff experience, his contract - combined with his injury history - is viewed by some around the league as a negative asset. That doesn’t mean there won’t be suitors, but it does complicate Cleveland’s ability to get a strong return.
Still, the trade deadline is all about timing and fit. And for a team like the Lakers, who are always in win-now mode with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge, adding a player like Hunter could be a calculated risk worth taking. If his health holds up and he finds his rhythm, he could give L.A. the kind of two-way presence they’ve been missing on the wing.
Keep an eye on this one. With the deadline fast approaching and both teams motivated for different reasons, De’Andre Hunter’s name could be one of the first to flash across the ticker.