One Boston rival is acquiring a familiar face as trade deadline week kicks off across the NBA. Shams Charania of ESPN.com was first to report late Saturday night that the Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that lands Cleveland former Celtics guard Dennis Schroder and reserve guard Keon Ellis. The Bulls are also a part of the deal, as they will be netting two second-round picks for taking on Dario Saric’s contract ($5.4 million) from the Kings.
The deal marks yet another chapter for Schroder, as Cleveland will become his 11th NBA team in his 13-year career. He has averaged 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds this season for the Kings after signing a three-year deal with Sacramento this summer. With Sacramento in the midst of an ugly season, a bigger reset is expected this trade deadline for the franchise, with Schroder being one of the veterans heading out the door.
Schroder joins a Cleveland squad that will benefit from some added depth from him and Ellis in the backcourt amid injuries to Darius Garland and Sam Merrill this year. Ellis was averaging 5.6 points in reduced playing time this year in a crowded Sacramento backcourt. His defensive ability made him a rumored trade target for several playoff teams, including the Celtics.
The Cavs also shed some significant salary in this trade by moving off Hunter’s contract ($23.3 million) this season. That will help them save about $50 million in salary and luxury tax bills this season, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. They currently still sit above the second apron.
The Celtics will next face off against Schroder and the Cavaliers on March 8 in Cleveland.