Let the trade deadline action begin.
The Cleveland Cavaliers swung a deal before Thursday’s trade deadline, sending former fourth overall pick De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento in exchange for veteran point guard Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis.
As part of a three-team deal, which was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls will receive Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-rounders.
Cleveland (29-21) currently occupies the fifth seed in the East after finishing atop the conference last season. In moving Hunter — whom they acquired from Atlanta at last year’s deadline — the Cavaliers bolstered their backcourt depth with the veteran Schroder and added a strong third-year defender in Ellis.
The deal also allows Cleveland to save about $50 million in salary and luxury tax bills this season and positions them to fall under the second apron for the 2026-27 campaign, according to ESPN.
Meanwhile, Sacramento received a young 3-and-D wing who averages 14 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. They also offloaded multiple veteran players, perhaps a precursor to an expected fire-sale ahead of Thursday’s deadline. The Kings, who own the NBA’s worst record at 12-38, are reportedly listening to offers on multiple key veterans as they look to build a younger core around 25-year-old guard Keegan Murray.
The Kings are set to host the Cavs this upcoming Saturday.
