The Sacramento Kings trade deadline began with a deal that sent Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Dario Saric outward in three-team deal that led to them to acquiring forward De’Andre Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Tuesday, the 28-year-old forward participated in his first practice with his new team and spoke with media following its conclusion.
“It’s good energy here,” Hunter said of his first day. “A lot of great coaches that have a lot of experience in the league, and, you know, very experienced players who have been good in the league for a while. So I’m just excited for a new opportunity.”
Expected to be available to make his Kings’ debut in front of the Golden 1 Center crowd against the Memphis Grizzlies the following day, Sacramento head coach Doug Christie was non-committal when asked if Hunter would be featured in the starting unit.
He did comment on his excitement about adding another versatile, two-way forward to his rotation.
“Super excited man,” Christie said Tuesday. “Watching him on the defensive end makes me smile. Elite length athleticism, knowing that he can stretch the floor and shoot the three ball, has mid range like just a really, really good player and a smart player, very headsy As far as the communication would get him in the game, excited to see him get out there.”
It’ll be interesting to see how Hunter helps aid a Sacramento defense that ranks 28th in the NBA in defensive rating (119.6) as part of the reason he was removed from the Cavaliers starting lineup in favor of second-year player Jaylon Tyson was his defensive shortcomings and career-low shooting percentages.
Another added layer to Hunter’s connection to the Kings revolves around general manager Scott Perry. While Hunter was widely viewed as top-five prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft, Perry was working in the New York Knicks front office as they owned the third overall pick.
Eventually selecting RJ Barrett at that spot (who also has been linked to the Kings this deadline), Hunter ended up going one pick later to the Atlanta Hawks — leaving it safe to assume that Perry did his due diligence on Hunter as a prospect.
But Hunter shared that he had not spoken with Perry prior to being traded to the Kings just days prior. In their conversations since, he said that his new general manager made it clear he had tried to acquire him in his previous stops as well.
“It was more so just talking about how he previously wanted me, you know, in previous years,” Hunter said of his initial talks with Perry.
“He was at a different team (then), so he couldn’t really make it happen, but he was just really glad that he could make this happen (now). And you know, he sees the potential in me, and he knows the things I could do. So, I’m just looking to do that.”
At 6’8 with a 7”2 wingspan, he’s an intriguing option to play alongside Keegan Murray and provide Christie with more size and versatility than he had prior to the deal’s completion.
“I think the both of their size and athleticism allow you to guard across the board so they can switch if there’s a matchup that you like more. But yeah, definitely [Hunter’s] size and his ability to guard can keep kicking at the (small forward position),” Christie said of the new forward pairing.
“I’m just excited to see them (together). I mean, when you think about it, like you got two long wings, both of them can shoot the basketball. Both of them can guard, pretty much one through five, rebounding, cutting, mid-range, and they both play the right way for the right reasons. They are team players. They’re going to move the basketball, move their body. When we talk about next actions, when we talk about crashing, they’re going to do all the little things that equate to winning. Both of them do. So, really excited to see them out there together.”
It’ll be at least two weeks before that pairing will have the chance to share the floor, as Murray is still recovering from a left ankle injury, but Hunter’s presence also helps provide forward depth in instances where one or the other is unavailable.
With one year remaining on his contract after this season, Christie and Perry will have the chance to evaluate Hunter’s fit with their roster and consider their best path moving forward from that point.
But it’s clear that their excited about his addition to the roster and Hunter is embracing the new opportunity in California’s capital.
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, February 4th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
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