Lakers, Lakers trade, NBA trade deadline, De'Andre Hunter
Getty
Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to his players during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are listening to offers for 3-and-D wing De’Andre Hunter, who has reportedly emerged as the Los Angeles Lakers‘ No. 1 trade target ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
According to insider Jake Fischer, the Cavs have ramped up discussions with teams about Hunter and are intent on moving the former No. 4 overall pick.
“Sources say that the Cavaliers, meanwhile, are engaged in various conversations on De’Andre Hunter, but many teams view his $20-plus million salary for next season as negative value when also factoring in his injury history,” Fischer wrote.
Hunter, whom the Cavaliers acquired ahead of last year’s NBA trade deadline, hasn’t exactly panned out for Kenny Atkinson’s team. The 28-year-old has shot a career-low 31% from three this season, while attempting 5.5 threes per game. He began his first full season with the Cavaliers on a strong note, averaging 18.3 points in October and 17.1 points in November, before falling off a cliff over the last two months.
Top Lakers Trade Target: Hunter
Amid his steep drop-off in production, Hunter has reportedly requested a trade, and the Cavaliers seem intent on honoring it before the NBA trade deadline.
Fischer’s report came amid another report from ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, who named Hunter as the No. 1 Lakers trade target before next Thursday.
“The Cavs want value back that they sent out to get Hunter from the Hawks,” Siegel said on Clutch Scoops. “It doesn’t seem like they’re going to get that, and since then, we’ve heard directly from sources that the Cavaliers are actively discussing trades involving Hunter, and he’s likely to be on the move in the coming week.
“One of the teams we keep hearing in connection to De’Andre Hunter, and it makes a lot of sense given their need for a three-and-D wing ever since the offseason, is the Los Angeles Lakers.”
Lakers Trade Deadline Plans
Further to Siegel’s point, the Lakers may have the opportunity to get Hunter on the cheap amid his low trade value. Although Hunter is owed $24.9M next season, he would come off the books in 2027 and wouldn’t disrupt the Lakers’ long-term plans for that summer, when they plan to pursue several top free agents. As such, he could be a low-risk, high-reward move for a team that desperately needs three-point shooting and perimeter defense, both of which he can provide at a high level.
Incidentally, Hunter had 19 points off the bench against the Lakers on Wednesday, when LeBron James visited his hometown franchise for a possible last visit. The Cavaliers routed the Lakers, 129-99, as part of their five-game winning streak.
Besides Hunter, the Lakers are reportedly pursuing Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton and several other defensive-minded players ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. Other names such as Naji Marshall, Donte DiVincenzo, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III have also been earmarked as potential Lakers trade targets.