With Thursday’s trade deadline approaching, the Cavaliers, Kings, and Bulls have reportedly gotten things started with a three-team, four-player deal.
Cleveland will send De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento, while Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis are headed to the Cavaliers. Chicago will receive Dario Saric along with two second-round draft picks.
The deal allows Cleveland to reduce salary and luxury tax costs while adding depth to its roster with both Ellis and Schroder. The Cavaliers are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference and have won seven of their last nine games.
Ellis is in the final season of a three-year, $5.1 million contract and gives Cleveland a strong perimeter defender who can shoot from deep. His role had decreased with Sacramento this season, but he is a career 41.6% shooter from three-point range. Ellis is averaging 5.6 points in 17.6 minutes per game.
Schroder, 32, signed a three-year, $44.4 million contract this past summer. He is averaging 12.8 points and 5.3 assists per game this season.
Sacramento owns the NBA’s worst record at 12-38 and appears focused on rebuilding in its first season under general manager Scott Perry.
Hunter, 28, was selected fourth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and has spent his career with Atlanta and Cleveland. He is averaging 14 points per game for the Cavaliers this season and has scored in double figures in each of his eight NBA seasons. Hunter has two years remaining on his contract, valued at approximately $48 million.
Saric has seen limited action this season, appearing in just five games.