LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks out during team introductions prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ ongoing search for long-term roster stability has led them back into discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers, this time around a framework that could address both franchises’ most pressing needs.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, De’Andre Hunter has emerged as a theoretical LeBron James replacement for the Lakers — a framing that helps explain why Los Angeles continues to be linked to the Cavaliers forward despite his uneven production this season.
Lakers Make Sensible Trade Partner for Cavaliers
Cleveland’s interest in a Hunter deal is driven less by rebuilding and more by necessity.
“There aren’t too many assets that they have,” Fedor said on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, referring to the Cavaliers. “So the move that they make, they have to feel like is an improvement — a step forward — and isn’t just something to dump salary and get out of the second apron. They still want to be a competitive basketball team.”
That tension of staying competitive while navigating the league’s harshest salary restrictions has put Hunter’s contract under scrutiny. Cleveland is currently a second-apron team, limiting its ability to aggregate salaries, use exceptions, or meaningfully reshape the roster.
Why Hunter Makes Sense for the Lakers’ Post-LeBron Planning
De'Andre Hunter, Lakers
GettyDe’Andre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers could be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
From the Lakers’ perspective, Hunter represents something different.
“The Lakers are theoretically looking for a future LeBron James replacement in case LeBron retires, in case LeBron leaves in free agency,” Fedor said. “That’s theoretically what De’Andre Hunter would be.”
James will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and while the Lakers have not indicated an imminent split, the organization is increasingly mindful of contingency planning around Luka Dončić.
Hunter, 28, fits the positional archetype Los Angeles has prioritized: a big wing capable of defending multiple spots and playing without the ball. While his offensive efficiency has dipped — he is shooting just 30.9% from three this season after posting 40.5% last year while splitting time between Atlanta and Cleveland — his defensive versatility remains intact.
Another important factor for Los Angeles is that Hunter’s contract provides flexibility. He will carry a $24.9 million expiring salary next season, giving the Lakers a built-in safety net if the fit alongside Dončić does not materialize.
The Hachimura–Knecht Framework and Third-Team Path
Fedor reported that financial mechanics are central to ongoing discussions.
“Because the Lakers are right below the apron — about $900,000 under it — but they are still a tax team, there are restrictions they have to deal with,” Fedor said. “My sources tell me that the Cavs and the Lakers have discussed a general framework surrounding De’Andre Hunter, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht, with the idea of bringing in a third team.”
For Cleveland, Rui Hachimura offers immediate relief. The 26-year-old is on an expiring contract, shooting 43% from three and averaging 12 points per game, while defending multiple positions. That combination allows the Cavaliers to remain competitive while easing long-term cap pressure.
Knecht as the Buy-Low Sweetener
The inclusion of Dalton Knecht is familiar territory. The Lakers have explored using Knecht as a buy-low asset in Hunter talks, a development first reported by ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel.
“There are some within the Cavs organization who like the idea of adding Dalton Knecht in a buy-low spot to get off Hunter’s contract,” Siegel wrote Thursday on X. “Discussions have been ongoing.”
The development marks a notable shift for Knecht, who was widely viewed as having “little to no” trade value earlier this season.
Knecht, the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft, has struggled to secure a consistent rotation role in Los Angeles but remains attractive to teams seeking low-cost shooting upside. His inclusion could help bridge the value gap without forcing Cleveland to take on long-term money.
A Deal That Solves Both Teams’ Problems
For Cleveland, moving Hunter for Hachimura and expiring salary would not eliminate second-apron restrictions, but it would meaningfully loosen them. For Los Angeles, absorbing Hunter’s contract is palatable — even appealing — given the uncertainty surrounding James’ future and the desire to lock in a long-term wing next to Dončić.
As Fedor framed it, the logic persists because both sides address their core problems without fully sacrificing competitiveness.
Whether that logic turns into a completed deal may depend on the willingness of a third team to absorb salary and how aggressively the Lakers want to act before clarity emerges on LeBron James’ next move.