De’Andre Hunter, Keon Ellis involved in three-team trade with Kings, Bulls

The Cleveland Cavaliers to have agreed to trade wing De’Andre Hunter that the Sacramento Kings for the veteran guard Dennis Schroder and swingman Keon Ellis, league sources told ClutchPoints on Saturday night.

This trade will also include Chicago Bulls as a third team that will facilitate the contract of Dario Saricanother player the Kings are trading to absorb Hunter’s $23.3 million for the 2025-26 season. Bulls will be receiving two future second-round picks as part of this trade, according to ESPN.

Chicago will receive a 2027 second-round pick (via Denver) from the Cavaliers and a future 2029 second-round pick from the Kings with provisions, league sources said.

During the last 48 hours, The Cavs discussed multiple frameworks with the Kings and Los Angeles Lakers to trade Hunter before the Feb. 5 deadline. Cleveland was looking for backcourt help in addition to All-Star Donovan Mitchell with Darius Garland continuing to deal with injuries, and the team was also looking for a cheaper option who can contribute 3-and-D.

As reported Saturday afternoon on ClutchPoint, the Cavs and Kings have discussed this exact scenario involving Schroder and Ellis. HoopsHipe’s Michael Scotto was the first to report on these two teams arguing this construct.

Although the Cavaliers have signaled they don’t want to recoup the long-term salary of Schroeder, the Kings have made it clear they will move on to other opportunities if Schroeder is not included, league sources said.

The Cavs, who had Ellis at the top of their trade list this season, decided to make this trade at the cost of Hunter and a future second-round pick to save money now and move forward.

The Lakers, with whom the Cavs have also discussed trading Hunter, took a step back in negotiations due to concerns about the extra year on Hunter’s contract compared to that of Rui Hachimura, who will be a free agent in the summer. Sacramento has been the only clear trade partner for the Cavaliers to trade Hunter since Los Angeles ended negotiations.

The trade allows the Cavs to save $6.9 million in salary and $40 million in luxury taxes while adding young, dynamic talent on both ends of the floor in the form of Ellis. Once this trade is approved, Cleveland will remain the only NBA team with a second station this season.

Ellis, who will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, can now agree to a three-year, $52 million contract extension with the Cavs instead of going to another team in free agency.

Hunter, 28, was acquired by the Cavs at the 2025 NBA trade deadline in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Cleveland traded Caris LeVert, George Niyang, three future second-round picks and two future trade picks to Atlanta to get Hunter, who was highly sought after at the trade deadline last season.

As a result of his ineffectiveness on the wing this season and the Cavs’ struggles, CEO Koby Altman and his front office decided to part ways with Hunter nearly a year after trading for him to address their financial situation and add additional depth for a serious playoff push.

In 43 games with the Cavs this season, Hunter averaged 14.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting a disappointing 30.8 percent from 3-point range.