The Cavaliers acquired forward De’Andre Hunter in their only in-season trade in 2024/25, but Hunter’s disappointing performance so far in ’25/26 may necessitate another in-season move a year later, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).
Sources tell Fedor that the Cavaliers haven’t engaged in any meaningful trade talks with teams inquiring on their players so far, including one club that made an offer for Hunter. Cleveland still believes in its current group despite an underwhelming 22-19 first half and wants to see what it looks like at full strength, if possible, Fedor adds.
However, with Max Strus expected to remain sidelined for at least a few more weeks, Dean Wade dealing with a nagging knee issue – he recently underwent a precautionary MRI that came back clean, per Fedor – and Hunter struggling to make an impact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cavs explore their options on the trade market before the deadline.
After Hunter scored a season-low two points and committed three turnovers in 18 minutes of action in Monday’s home loss to Utah, head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged the forward’s struggles while expressing a belief that he can still turn things around.
“It’s not clicking. I think it’s a prolonged batting slump. It happens in every sport,” Atkinson said. “Trying to support him. Trying to get him some touches. Part of my job is to help him. He’ll snap out of it. He’s too good of a player to be playing like this. He’ll turn it around. We need him.”
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- Noting that Nets general manager Sean Marks typically exercises patience on the trade market and doesn’t settle for deals that fall shy of his asking price, Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required) writes that there’s a real chance Michael Porter Jr. remains with the team through the trade deadline. One assistant GM told Lewis that he wouldn’t be surprised if Brooklyn hangs onto Porter and then sits him frequently after the trade deadline in an effort to tank for a high draft pick.
- Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports and Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports both check in on the Ja Morant situation, with Iko explaining why the Grizzlies appear prepared to move forward without the star point guard and O’Connor presenting some hypothetical trade scenarios involving the 26-year-old. Echoing recent reporting from ESPN, Iko says executives around the NBA are wondering if Memphis will also become open to dealing Jaren Jackson Jr., though the Grizzlies have insisted for now that’s not an option they’re considering.
- Dan Woike of The Athletic suggests six trade ideas for the Lakers, including potential deals that send Andrew Wiggins, Herbert Jones, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or Justin Champagnie to Los Angeles. However, he also plays devil’s advocate by outlining reasons why his suggestions might not work, such as the Pelicans’ lack of interest in moving Jones and the Lakers’ reluctance to take on multiyear salary for a player like KCP.
- Sam Vecenie of The Athletic lays out a few trades he’d like to see happen, including one sending Bulls guard Coby White into the Pistons‘ trade exception for draft assets, a three-team deal sending Michael Porter Jr. to the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga to the Kings, and a Daniel Gafford/Bennedict Mathurin swap between the Pacers and Mavericks.
Lakers’ sorry defense was at full display last night. Franchise record for 3PT% allowed (65.4%) while defending 25 or more threes shot in a game.
RussWest 22 points, 4-8 from three point range.
Monk, who also played for the Lakers recently, as Russ, and who was banished to DNP-CD by Christie, and dangled around as trade bait, scored 18 points in the second quarter, and finished with 26 in 6-8 3P.
It’s not that it was only the three point shooting the way Sac got offensive solutions against the Lakers, as DeRozan scored 32 with over 70% from the field (14-19) with NO threes.
It’s time to acknowledge the writing on the wall: this perimeter defense with Doncic, Lebron and Reaves (out bc of injury) won’t get it done.
JJ needs to get tough with Lebron which so far he refuses to do. They played much better with reeves and Luka. Lebron is gone at the end of the year. They could trade for defense but they lack assets to trade. wait until off season and get rid of LeBrons contract and you will have money to bring in players that fit the team.
The OneWay Wonder ……. been saying since last yr. Luka and Reaves doesn’t work defensively. Never will.
They should use Reaves to upgrade at another position. Bron is gone after this year. I would sign Grimes. He’s a FA and a 2way player.
So do you put some of the blame on JJ for allowing Lebron run the team? JJ can coach but he has too many of his favorites.
All coaches have to deal with star players. Don’t know Lakers well enough to judge JJ. I know their D is not good. And Lukas D has never been good.
link to yardbarker.com
Theit 2 best defensive players have no offensive game. When they add knecht out there teh defense is worse. He drop in the draft because he can’t play defense. Ayton can block shots but has slow foot work. Its like they built a team only on offense.
Marks needs to trade him this season not wait until the off season when teams will have more options and his value is at its highest. He wants 2 1st round picks plus young players. That is not going to happen for a player that is not a defensive big man.
Grizz need to trade JJJ while he still have big value around league. His PO performance is underwhelming even for rotational player.
Carrier fg% in PO under 40%, last year 37.9%
16pt 5rbd avg last season PO