De'Andre Hunter, Lakers
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De'Andre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ reported pursuit of Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter appears dead.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, “the Lakers’ interest in Hunter has been repeatedly overstated this week,” citing league sources.
“The teams have certainly talked during this transaction cycle, but the purple and gold are reticent to jeopardize their upcoming financial flexibility in the offseason by absorbing Hunter’s $24.9 million salary for next season,” Stein and Fischer reported on Saturday.
That clarification resets a week of speculation that had linked Hunter to the Lakers as a potential in-season addition — and, in some narratives, as a longer-term contingency option as the franchise prepares for a future that includes Luka Dončić and the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ impending free agency.
James is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, a reality that has sharpened the Lakers’ focus on preserving cap space and draft optionality rather than taking on salary that could narrow their paths in July.
Salary Concerns Temper Lakers’ Appetite
Rob Pelinka, Lakers
GettyPresident of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers continues to safeguard future flexibility.
Hunter, 28, has $24.9 million next season on an expiring contract, a number that would immediately cut into Los Angeles’ projected offseason flexibility. As currently constructed, the Lakers have only one first-round pick available to trade in-season due to Stepien Rule restrictions and previous obligations. That will expand to three first-round picks, which they can use for a more impactful move in the summer.
That asset limitation has reinforced the front office’s cautious approach at this trade deadline. While Hunter fits the positional archetype Los Angeles values — a big wing capable of defending multiple spots and playing without the ball — the Lakers are unwilling to absorb his salary without a clear belief that the move materially improves their championship outlook.
Hunter’s on-court production has also complicated evaluations. He is shooting just 30.9% from three-point range this season, a sharp decline from the 40.5% mark he posted last year while splitting time between Atlanta and Cleveland. While his defensive versatility remains intact, the offensive regression has softened league-wide demand at his current price point.
Kings–Cavs Talks Set the Market
Before Stein and Fischer’s report cooled the Lakers’ narrative, Cleveland had already engaged in substantive discussions with the Sacramento Kings regarding Hunter, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Citing league sources, Scotto reported on Saturday that the Cavaliers and Kings discussed multiple trade frameworks that would have sent Hunter to Sacramento. One proposal included Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder and Dario Šarić heading to Cleveland, with second-round draft compensation and a potential third team to absorb salary also explored. Another variation involved Malik Monk and Ellis going to the Cavaliers, though Cleveland expressed concern about Monk’s remaining $41.77 million over the next two seasons.
Those discussions positioned Sacramento — not Los Angeles — as the most aggressive suitor for Hunter during this transaction cycle, helping explain why Cleveland continued to canvass the market even as Lakers speculation gained traction publicly.
Earlier Lakers Frameworks Remain Exploratory
An earlier report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor had suggested the Cavaliers discussed a general framework involving Hunter, Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, potentially with a third team facilitating salary matching.
“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.”
But Stein and Fischer’s latest report now makes clear that those conversations never progressed beyond preliminary stages.
For Los Angeles, the hesitation has been consistent: the Lakers are unwilling to compromise their offseason leverage for a move that does not clearly vault them into the NBA’s top tier this season.