The Cavaliers and Kings have discussed the framework of a deal involving forward De’Andre Hunter and guard Keon Ellis, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports.
In that scenario, Hunter would be dealt to the Kings for Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Dario Saric. It’s also possible that a third team could be involved to take on Saric’s contract with second-round draft pick compensation added as a sweetener.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported on Friday that trade talks involving Ellis were intensifying and that Cleveland was among the teams in the mix. Ellis becomes extension-eligible on February 9, shortly after the trade deadline. If he doesn’t sign a new contract, he’ll enter unrestricted free agency this summer. He’s making just $2.3MM this season.
Schröder would present a more long-term commitment for the Cavs. He’s making $14.1MM this season and is owed $14.81MM for next season. He also has a partial guarantee of $4.35MM for the 2027/28 season. Saric is on an expiring $5.43MM deal.
Hunter, who has been a disappointment since Cleveland acquired him from Atlanta, is making $23.3MM this season and is on the books for $24.91MM next season. As a second-apron team, the Cavs can’t use Hunter’s contract to take back more salary than they send out, but Ellis, Schröder, and Saric earn a combined $21.8MM and could be accommodated.
The two teams have also discussed another scenario involving Ellis in which he would be paired with Malik Monk in a deal for Hunter. However, the Cavaliers are concerned about Monk’s contact, which has two years and $41.77MM remaining on it over the next two seasons, Scotto notes.
The Cavaliers have also talked about moving Hunter with at least one other prominent team — Scotto confirms they’ve discussed the framework of a deal that would land Hunter with the Lakers in exchange for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. That proposed deal would also include a third team, possibly Brooklyn.
Hachimura has an expiring $18.26MM contract. Knecht is making $4MM this season in the second year of his rookie deal.
Schroder is yet another small guard for the Cavs…. not ideal.
They would be doing the deal for Ellis to fill the role Ball was supposed to this year. Schroeder would be salary matching–if this goes through, I would not be surprised if they move him in another deal.
But Ball has not filled that role satisfactorily. Who would you rather have in a playoff game, Ball or Schroeder? The other factor is Garland’s injuries. If he is not 100% in the post-season, another point guard who can create might be a life-saver.
Pretty sure you misread my comment. “They would be doing the deal for Ellis to fill the role Ball was supposed to this year.” That means Ball has not done satisfactorily and Ellis–in contrast–should be able to do what Ball has not. And sure, Schroeder could be kept for injury insurance, but my point is the Cavs are motivated to do this for getting Ellis.
I have no idea why everyone is talking about Ellis so much and also why are the kings not playing a good 3 and D guard
Wtf is Scott Perry thinking… let’s trade a guy making no money for a guy making 24 million this year AND next year. I get that you’re getting off the Shroeder money but his AAV is like 10 million less than Hunter and he plays a position of need for the Kings.
Ellis is also the only asset that people want. You’re telling me you can’t squeeze a very late 1st out of a contender that would want him? Not even an uber protected first?? The best answer is taking Clevelands garbage and hoping that garbage turns to gold in the land where only garbage is made?
Im convinced we are in a simulation. It seems that whatever I have done in a past life has earned me a spot in purgatory. A brainless insect could run this team better. It would actually be more beneficial for this team to just have every single contract expire and let the players walk than it is trying to trade them away because somehow there is a clause in the NBA bylaws that the Kings have to make the dumbest trade you’ve ever seen every 16 months.
Rome wasn’t built in a day right Scott?
I agree… and four-star comedy writing on the part about Perry “hoping that garbage turns to gold in the land where only garbage is made.”
Its just a money machination trade
Half these deals in the next week will be
Not really much on-court to look at with these deals, moreso Spotrac !
Cle has to shed 10 M off Hunters 25 by the summer to slip apron 2 . These reports are being fed by Cle to the league in hopes of finding suitors
Welp.
They did it narrowly !
Looks like if they hold 14 next year Cle will be 1~2 Million under apron 2 with this move
You know I think the next thing the kings need is another wrong side of 30 iso shooter that makes a bunch of money
We don’t know if the kings are trying to tank or trying to win I bet Perry thinks that’s a good thing and he thinks hes Einstein
Two other things of note here.
1) Hunter has become superfluous since Tyson can provide most of the same more consistently & cheaper
2) Cavs desperately need a defensive upgrade. They miss Okoro.
3) One more step in Schroeder’s quest to play for every team in the league & stand atop a mountain that will never be climbed again.
That’s a good deal…for the Kings!
Ellis will not sign with the kings next season. Schroeder was always a sign and trade later, Saric was part of a salary dump and now a salary match. This is what the Kings need to do, clear the table and start again. Everyone keeps saying that, but when they try too, it’s a “garbage” deal.??? The Kings need a top 3 draft pick this year. Moving the old players and losing is the game now. Kings have No Star Player just role players.
Now they need to more DeMar and Westbrook and get younger
Not sure if you’ve been watching bud but losing games is about the only thing this roster is good at. You’re suggesting “clearing the table” by getting another 20+ mil salary on the books for next year. You’re not gonna find a better deal for Hunter next year so wtf is the point. You’re giving away the only coveted asset the Kings have in exchange for immovable money.
Holy sh**… you’re Monte McNair
Yes and Domas. Westbrook and a 2031 pick to OKC for a 2026 first and salary match player. Demar for John Collins Clippers. Domas for a first and salary match. Make it as hard as they can for Zac to opt in for next year.
We are at the very beginning of a rebuild with no end in sight and your biggest brain move is to send the best team in the league unprotected draft capital…
I hate that I love this team lol.
All these Hunter reports are being floated by Cle as they are just trying to knock off 10 M from Hunters next year salary to narrowly slip apron 2 next summer. Very important piece of business for them if they could take care of it in the next week
My guess is they’d love Kleber and Vincent expiring’s from Lakers which would knock off the whole 25 Mill. Id guess the Lakers are saying Vand0 + Vincent which would do the trick for Cle (net 12.5 M summer) as well but they are currently looking for a less ominous salary than Vando in Schroder. IF the Vincent Kleber deal were offered it be accepted already
IF Cle cant find that package I think you see them and the Lakers circle back and do Hunter for Vando and Vincent
* Lakers would have to trade Knecht to 3rd team for a ANY (bad) vet min to make the money work but that’s doable w there 1 second Rd pick. Lets call that 3rd team Sac with Knecht and Lakers 2032 2nd rder to Sac for Dougie McBuckets
I said a pick, unprotected #2 pick 5 years from now. M&M put the Kings in a deep hole, this is to be a good draft, OKC doesn’t need firsts this year we do. We are a poor team next year too. But the NBA has a floor $140m so a 2 year $25m is not the end of the world. Like you I love the Kings, I would like the rebuild to start, Kings need to do something not sit on their hands like M&M. No one is coveted on this team you said all they do is lose. Lower deck season tickets, not M&M. I put out an idea you just shoot things down. Better deal put it out there.
Hunter is a piece you bring in to complement your stars. The Kings have so much cash tied up in 2 guys who are not capable of even making them a playoff team. They have a guy that multiple teams want despite him not even being a regular part of their rotation, why are they not trying to extract some picks to help with the rebuild they so desperately need?!