After what felt like months of trade rumors, the Sacramento Kings made their first trade of the 2025-26 NBA season, acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Kings sent Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland in exchange for Hunter. It’s also reportedly a three-team deal that includes the Chicago Bulls receiving Dario Saric and two future second-round picks (Sacramento’s 2029 and Cleveland’s 2027).
Since being drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hunter hasn’t lived up to those expectations but carved out a role for himself. After five and a half seasons in Atlanta, he was traded in the middle of last season to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks. pic.twitter.com/Hoc6bP0hhj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2026
In 43 games played this season, Hunter has averaged 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three on 5.5 attempts per game. After starting in his first 23 appearances, the Cavaliers elected to replace him in their initial unit with Jaylon Tyson, their first-round pick (20th overall) from 2024.
Hunter is making $23.3 million this season and $24.9 million next season before he can potentially reach unrestricted free agency.
Listed at 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, he should drastically help bolster head coach Doug Christie’s thin frontcourt rotation and could eventually replace Precious Achiuwa in their starting unit. Sending out Ellis and Schroder also helped clear up their guard “logjam,” as Christie often referred to it.
On an expiring minimum contract, Ellis was a highly coveted asset around the entire NBA, with what felt like half the league interested in his talents. It’s an unceremonious end to his three and a half seasons with the Kings’ organization since joining them as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Schroder is a much different story, having just signed a three-year, $44.4-million deal with the Kings this offseason — the first sizeable move under general manager Scott Perry. Saric also joined the team last offseason via trade, but had hardly seen the floor this season and is on an expiring deal.
Cavs turn Hunter’s slot into backcourt depth and create $50 million in salary and tax savings this season. Kings receive an established 3-and-D wing under contract through 2027 at age of 28 and roster flexibility, including converting two-way Dylan Cardwell to a standard deal. https://t.co/JF9EapXYpk
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2026
Charania also reported that Sacramento will convert rookie Dylan Cardwell from a two-way contract to a standard deal, given the roster spots they created by swapping three players for one.
Securing this deal with five days remaining until the trade deadline, there’s still time for Perry and the Kings to continue reshaping their roster as Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, and Domantas Sabonis have all been mentioned in rumors.
We’ll see if there is more to come.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
We are less than one week away from the NBA trade deadline (Thursday at 12 pm PT), meaning the time has come for the Sacramento Kings to make some moves.
While players on large contracts like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan are at the forefront of the Kings’ to-do list when it comes to restructuring this roster, Keon Ellis’ name continues to be popular in trade talks.
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share his thoughts on where things stand for Ellis, whose future in Sacramento appears to be coming to an end in the coming days.
Read More:
Sam Amick on Keon Ellis’ trade market & Domantas Sabonis’ future
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 30th – @ Boston Celtics – 4:30 PM PT
Sunday, February 1st – @ Washington Wizards – 3:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 4th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, February 6th – vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PT
Thank you for readingSactownSports.com. Follow us onTwitterandGoogle News, and subscribe to ourYouTubechannel.