JJ Redick, Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts after his team is called for a foul.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ already narrow trade-deadline path may be tightening further as two of their primary targets are now being discussed in potential deals involving each other.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, citing league sources, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings have explored trade frameworks that would send forward De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento in exchange for a package headlined by Keon Ellis.
“A third team could be looped in to take on [Dario] Šarić, and second-round draft pick compensation also could be added to the framework,” Scotto reported Saturday.
Former Lakers guard Dennis Schröder would also be part of the Kings’ outgoing package.
The talks place the Lakers in a precarious position. Ellis and Hunter have both been linked to Los Angeles in recent weeks, but neither deal was considered easy to execute. The possibility that Cleveland and Sacramento could strike a deal without Los Angeles involved further reduces the Lakers’ already limited in-season options.
Kings’ Interest in Hunter Complicates Lakers’ Plans
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GettyRui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Keon Ellisof the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento’s pursuit of Hunter appears aggressive.
Scotto reported that the Kings have discussed multiple variations with Cleveland, including a proposal that would have sent Malik Monk and Ellis to the Cavaliers. Cleveland, however, balked at Monk’s contract structure, which carries $41.77 million over the next two seasons.
Even so, Ellis remains central to Sacramento’s efforts. The 26-year-old guard has emerged as one of the league’s most coveted point-of-attack defenders, drawing interest from nearly half the league. Earlier reports indicated the Kings are seeking a first-round pick for Ellis — a price the Lakers have been unwilling or unable to meet at the deadline.
Ellis’ veteran-minimum salary and defensive profile make him an ideal fit next to high-usage guards such as Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland, further strengthening Sacramento’s hand.
Lakers’ Hunter Framework Faces New Competition
At the same time, the Lakers have been discussing their own framework for Hunter.
Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor previously reported — a deal later corroborated by Scotto — that the Cavaliers and Lakers have discussed a structure involving Hunter in exchange for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, potentially with additional pieces or a third team.
Hunter, 28, has been viewed internally by Los Angeles as a long-term positional solution on the wing and, theoretically, a future replacement for LeBron James.
“The Lakers are theoretically looking for a future LeBron James replacement in case LeBron retires, in case LeBron leaves in free agency,” Fedor said on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. “That’s theoretically what De’Andre Hunter would be.”
James will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. While there has been no public indication of an imminent departure, the Lakers have begun contingency planning around Luka Dončić as their long-term centerpiece.
Why Hunter Still Appeals to Los Angeles
Hunter fits the archetype the Lakers have prioritized: a big wing who can defend multiple positions, space the floor, and play without dominating the ball.
His offensive efficiency, however, has dipped. Hunter is shooting 30.9% from three-point range this season, down sharply from the 40.5% mark he posted last year while splitting time between Atlanta and Cleveland. Still, league evaluators continue to view him as a reliable defender capable of guarding across positions.
Contract structure also matters. Hunter will carry a $24.9 million expiring salary next season, providing Los Angeles with a safety valve if the fit alongside Dončić does not pan out.
Cavaliers’ Motivation: Flexibility and Value
From Cleveland’s perspective, moving Hunter could ease mounting cap pressure while keeping the roster competitive.
Hachimura, 27, is on an expiring deal and is shooting 43% from three while averaging 12 points per game. His ability to defend multiple positions allows Cleveland to remain viable in the short term without committing long-term salary.
Knecht, meanwhile, represents a buy-low flier.
“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,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported Thursday.
Once viewed as having minimal trade value, Knecht’s inclusion reflects shifting league perception after his early-season role and subsequent removal from the rotation.
Trade Deadline Reality for the Lakers
With Sacramento holding stronger immediate assets and Cleveland weighing multiple paths, the Lakers’ margin for error is shrinking.
If Hunter is moved elsewhere and Ellis remains priced beyond reach, Los Angeles could be forced to stand pat at the deadline — preserving flexibility for an offseason in which draft capital, cap space, and roster clarity improve.
For now, however, the Lakers are watching two of their targets discussed in the same conversations — a development that underscores just how fragile their trade deadline options have become.