A recent NBA trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings has left many people surprised, including ESPN NBA commentator Charles Barkley.
On Saturday evening, ESPN's NBA insider, Shams Charania, reported the big trade, indicating that the Cavs were sending De'Andre Hunter to the Kings in exchange for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. The deal also reportedly includes the Chicago Bulls, who received Dario Saric from the Kings and two future second-round picks.
However, Barkley was baffled by the move as he sounded off during Saturday night’s “Insider the NBA” show, calling out both teams for the recent moves. He focused the majority of his rant towards Cleveland, though, suggesting it wasn’t an ideal move for a team that is so competitive in the Eastern Conference.
"It just goes to show you there are a lot of people running these NBA teams that don't know what they're doing. I would not trade one of my better players," the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer said on ESPN’s show, calling Hunter, “one of the better bench players of the NBA.”
Barkley continued his reaction by reminding his co-stars and viewers that the Cavaliers were “picked by most people” to win the Eastern Conference this season. However, the team is currently sitting at 29-21 and tied with the Toronto Raptors.
Meanwhile, the Cavs’ Central Division rivals, the Detroit Pistons, are leading all teams in the East with a 35-12 record. The New York Knicks followed at 30-18 and are tied with the Boston Celtics, who are playing without Jayson Tatum this season due to his injury in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Barkley didn’t hesitate to call out the Cavs’ trade partners, also questioning the Kings for the moves.
“This trade makes zero sense for both teams,” he said after “Inside the NBA” host Ernie Johnson broke the trade news during the show.
“I have no idea what Sacramento’s doing,” he said, adding he was “disappointed in the Cavs” as a “big De’Andre Hunter fan” and told colleague Kenny Smith that “Sacramento’s no good” and “not relevant.”
While Barkley disagreed with the trade, Smith said that, with Darius Garland injured, acquiring a guard like Schroder gives the Cavs “insurance” in case Garland doesn’t return.
Additionally, Charania explained its impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers in an X follow-up message about the trade. According to the NBA insider, it gives them backcourt depth and also creates $50 million in salary and tax savings this season.
Hunter, the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft from Virginia, is averaging 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He joins a Sacramento Kings team that is struggling mightily this season, with a 12-38 record that has them sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
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