NBA Market: Cleveland Cavaliers Acquires Schroder and Ellis in Exchange for Hunter

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings have completed a three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls, as reported by ESPN.

Cleveland sends De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento and acquires Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. Meanwhile, the Bulls receive power forward Dario Saric and two future second-round draft picks. NBA market movements ahead of the upcoming February 5th trade deadline.

The trade allows the Cavaliers to bolster their point guard position by bringing in Schroder and adds defensive specialist Ellis. Moreover, Cleveland significantly reduces its financial burden, saving an estimated $50 million between salary and luxury tax this season. According to Bobby Marks (ESPN), the team's tax bill decreases from $164 million to $120 million, positioning the franchise better to operate below the luxury tax apron next season.

Ellis's contract expires this summer under a $2.3 million deal, but he will be eligible for a three-year, $52 million extension starting February 9. While still above the luxury tax apron, Cleveland can retain him and surpass that threshold. This season, Ellis averages 5.6 points and is one of just two NBA players with at least 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per 36 minutes, alongside Ausar Thompson.

In Sacramento, Hunter's arrival bolsters the perimeter with a proven "3-and-D" small forward under contract through next season. At 28 years old, Hunter is putting up 14 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The trade also provides roster flexibility to the Kings, who can now convert rookie undrafted center Dylan Cardwell's two-way deal into a standard NBA contract. Cardwell has been a standout for the team, averaging 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game.

The Bulls, on their end, absorb Saric's expiring $5.4 million contract and receive future assets to facilitate the trade. To clear roster space, Chicago will waive shooting guard Jevon Carter's contract. Cleveland sends the Bulls a 2027 second-round pick from Denver, while Sacramento contributes a 2029 second-rounder, determined as the least favorable between those of the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks.

Schroder, a versatile player

In his first season with the Kings after signing a three-year deal last summer, Schroder averages 12.8 points and 5.3 assists. He is owed salaries of $14.1, $14.8, and $15.5 million in the upcoming three seasons, with the final year partially guaranteed. Alongside Tre Jones, he is one of two bench players this season to record at least 10 points and 5 assists.

Sacramento will take on the $23.3 and $24.9 million owed in the last two years of Hunter's contract, completing a trade that reshuffles salaries, contracts, and assets among the three franchises.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mercado NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers se lleva a Schroder y Ellis a cambio de Hunter