The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the most notable teams in the Eastern Conference over the previous two seasons.
Last year, they acquired De’Andre Hunter (via the Atlanta Hawks) before the trade deadline.
Hunter is currently averaging 14.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while shooting 42.3% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range in 43 games.
NBA Legend Charles Barkley Sounds Off On Kings-Cavs Trade
On Saturday night, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Hunter has been traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal.
Via Charania: “BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.”
After the deal was reported, NBA legend Charles Barkley made his feelings clear.
Barkley (via ESPN): “This trade makes zero sense for both teams. The Cavs have a legitimate chance of winning the East… I have no idea what Sacramento is doing… I’m disappointed in the Cavs… I’m a big De’Andre Hunter fan.”
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Hunter has been a solid role player over seven seasons.
He was selected with the fourth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Virginia.
The 27-year-old has career averages of 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest while shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range in 370 games.
Via Keith Smith: “Quick notes on the Cavs-Kings-Bulls trade: 🏀Cavs save about $6.9M in salary in this deal. That will be nearly $40M in tax savings too. Still a second-apron team. 🏀Cavs will have the ability to extend Keon Ellis, but limited 3/~$52M due to extension rules after a trade 🏀Cavs will likely create a TPE of about $6.9M 🏀Kings take on $10.1M in salary for Hunter for 26-27 🏀Bulls will likely acquire Saric via a TPE that was created from the Zach LaVine trade. 🏀Bulls will need to waive a player to acquire Saric, as their roster is currently at the max of 15 players”
Quick notes on the Cavs-Kings-Bulls trade:
🏀Cavs save about $6.9M in salary in this deal. That will be nearly $40M in tax savings too. Still a second-apron team.
🏀Cavs will have the ability to extend Keon Ellis, but limited 3/~$52M due to extension rules after a trade
🏀Cavs…— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 1, 2026
The Cavs getting Schroder and Ellis could give them the right amount of depth to finish as a top-four seed.
Schroder is averaging 12.0 points and 5.8 assists per contest.
The Cavs are coming off a season where they were the first seed.
However, they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
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As for the Kings, they are the 15th seed in the Western Conference with a 12-38 record in 50 games.
They last made the NBA playoffs during the 2023 season.
