Trade Ideas

[jbk1234]

Fedor: “My sources tell me that the Cavs and the Lakers have discussed a general framework surrounding De’Andre Hunter of Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht and then bringing in a third team.”

https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2026/01/cavs-and-lakers-discussing-deandre-hunter-trade-framework-with-third-team-involvement.html

Not a huge fan of this, but if Hunter is only getting on the floor as a 4 in the playoffs, then I understand it. The Cavs may find it's easier for opponents to play Hachimura off the floor than they anticipate. Doing this before Strus gets back and takes the floor is all kinds of risky.

It seems the reason to do this is Hunter for Rui is not a huge difference (some would say Rui is better, but I am not sold and neither are the Lakers) and it gives you some cap room in the off-season

Dalton is who I wanted to fall to the Cavs, but we got Tyson instead. We see how that is working out so far lol (tho I still think Dalton can make a place in the league, but idk if the Cavs are the place for that)

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

[gflem]

Not a huge fan of this, but if Hunter is only getting on the floor as a 4 in the playoffs, then I understand it. The Cavs may find it's easier for opponents to play Hachimura off the floor than they anticipate. Doing this before Strus gets back and takes the floor is all kinds of risky.

It seems the reason to do this is Hunter for Rui is not a huge difference (some would say Rui is better, but I am not sold and neither are the Lakers) and it gives you some cap room in the off-season

Dalton is who I wanted to fall to the Cavs, but we got Tyson instead. We see how that is working out so far lol (tho I still think Dalton can make a place in the league, but idk if the Cavs are the place for that)

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

As disappointed as I am with Hunter, we just watched Rui be basically non existent against a depleted Cavs front line. I liked Dalton coming out of college and he did light us up in a game last year but he hasn't impressed me since. I am not a fan of a deal like this as it is being "reported".

[ijspeelman]

"Sacramento's conversations on a Keon Ellis trade have only intensified with Cleveland joining the large group of teams vying for the in-demand swingman."

https://open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/p/wednesday-morning-confidential-the?r=nuq3a&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

(paid source btw)

[jbk1234]

"Sacramento's conversations on a Keon Ellis trade have only intensified with Cleveland joining the large group of teams vying for the in-demand swingman."

https://open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/p/wednesday-morning-confidential-the?r=nuq3a&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

I just don't see how the Cavs won't get outbid here.

[JonFromVA]

Not a huge fan of this, but if Hunter is only getting on the floor as a 4 in the playoffs, then I understand it. The Cavs may find it's easier for opponents to play Hachimura off the floor than they anticipate. Doing this before Strus gets back and takes the floor is all kinds of risky.

It seems the reason to do this is Hunter for Rui is not a huge difference (some would say Rui is better, but I am not sold and neither are the Lakers) and it gives you some cap room in the off-season

Dalton is who I wanted to fall to the Cavs, but we got Tyson instead. We see how that is working out so far lol (tho I still think Dalton can make a place in the league, but idk if the Cavs are the place for that)

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

Sure we can play Rui at 4, but he's not going to do the sorts of things we want from a 4 other than fire up 3's.

What exactly makes Rui a better 4 than Hunter?

They're just about the same height and length.

Is it Hunter's lack of desire to play 4? Rui's additional 9 pounds?

[ijspeelman]

It seems the reason to do this is Hunter for Rui is not a huge difference (some would say Rui is better, but I am not sold and neither are the Lakers) and it gives you some cap room in the off-season

Dalton is who I wanted to fall to the Cavs, but we got Tyson instead. We see how that is working out so far lol (tho I still think Dalton can make a place in the league, but idk if the Cavs are the place for that)

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

Sure we can play Rui at 4, but he's not going to do the sorts of things we want from a 4 other than fire up 3's.

What exactly makes Rui a better 4 than Hunter?

They're just about the same height and length.

Is it Hunter's lack of desire to play 4? Rui's additional 9 pounds?

To play devil's advocate, if we go by last three year stats we would be getting a guy averaging 42.1% threes on 6.4a/100pos compared to a guy that is 37.4% on 9.7a/100pos. Hunter is more dynamic offensively, but he's partially been reduced to playing a spot-up shooter role in this offense. I can't speak at all to Rui's defensive chops.

It feels like a slight downgrade at worst that gives us cap room next year. That's about it. Would I do it? No, but I understand the thinking behind it.

Though if you make this trade, I think Dean Wade is out. Rui just feels like more offensively leaning Dean Wade and I assume would take his back-up 3/4/5 minutes.

[jbk1234]

It seems the reason to do this is Hunter for Rui is not a huge difference (some would say Rui is better, but I am not sold and neither are the Lakers) and it gives you some cap room in the off-season

Dalton is who I wanted to fall to the Cavs, but we got Tyson instead. We see how that is working out so far lol (tho I still think Dalton can make a place in the league, but idk if the Cavs are the place for that)

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

Sure we can play Rui at 4, but he's not going to do the sorts of things we want from a 4 other than fire up 3's.

What exactly makes Rui a better 4 than Hunter?

They're just about the same height and length.

Is it Hunter's lack of desire to play 4? Rui's additional 9 pounds?

I'm not convinced that Rui will be more useful than Hunter in the playoffs but I don't get to make the call. If you're looking for an explanation as to why the front office might do this, Rui is on an expiring contract as is Dean Wade. Between Wade, Hunter, and Rui, Wade walking would hurt the most and this would allow the Cavs to go make an offer above the MLE to Wade without having to trade a core player next summer.

This looks a lot like the Okoro/Ball swap to me in that maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but either way you're off a contract a year early.

[JonFromVA]

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

Sure we can play Rui at 4, but he's not going to do the sorts of things we want from a 4 other than fire up 3's.

What exactly makes Rui a better 4 than Hunter?

They're just about the same height and length.

Is it Hunter's lack of desire to play 4? Rui's additional 9 pounds?

To play devil's advocate, if we go by last three year stats we would be getting a guy averaging 42.1% threes on 6.4a/100pos compared to a guy that is 37.4% on 9.7a/100pos. Hunter is more dynamic offensively, but he's partially been reduced to playing a spot-up shooter role in this offense. I can't speak at all to Rui's defensive chops.

It feels like a slight downgrade at worst that gives us cap room next year. That's about it. Would I do it? No, but I understand the thinking behind it.

Though if you make this trade, I think Dean Wade is out. Rui just feels like more offensively leaning Dean Wade and I assume would take his back-up 3/4/5 minutes.

My focus is more narrow ... how many years has the fan base been whining for a SF that actually looks and plays like a SF?

Maybe Hunter's knees won't let him be what we want, and if we've already written him off, I suppose it doesn't matter, but I find it annoying.

Other than the fact Rui has actually shot well in the playoffs, I suspect we'll find it hard to play him over Dean and perhaps even Tomlin. Heck, why not just play Tyson at PF?

Or to put it another way, here's the list of players on the Cavs roster who DO NOT average more rebounds per 100 than Rui: Proctor, Merrill, Garland .. that's it.

Maybe Kenny wasn't kidding when he mentioned CPJ played like a 6'1" PF ...

[JonFromVA]

The reason the Cavs do this is that Hunter at 4 hasn't worked, and if he plays all his minutes at the 3, that limits the lineup options for Atkinson. Merrill might be strictly a 2 and CPJ might not play at all. I suspect that there's a good bit of extrapolation involving small ball units based on regular season data against middling teams. Time will tell how wise that is. They must be pretty confident Strus is returning at full strength.

Sure we can play Rui at 4, but he's not going to do the sorts of things we want from a 4 other than fire up 3's.

What exactly makes Rui a better 4 than Hunter?

They're just about the same height and length.

Is it Hunter's lack of desire to play 4? Rui's additional 9 pounds?

I'm not convinced that Rui will be more useful than Hunter in the playoffs but I don't get to make the call. If you're looking for an explanation as to why the front office might do this, Rui is on an expiring contract as is Dean Wade. Between Wade, Hunter, and Rui, Wade walking would hurt the most and this would allow the Cavs to go make an offer above the MLE to Wade without having to trade a core player next summer.

This looks a lot like the Okoro/Ball swap to me in that maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but either way you're off a contract a year early.

Do you think Knecht is better than just getting a first rounder back for Hunter as was mentioned in another rumor?

[jbk1234]

Sure we can play Rui at 4, but he's not going to do the sorts of things we want from a 4 other than fire up 3's.

What exactly makes Rui a better 4 than Hunter?

They're just about the same height and length.

Is it Hunter's lack of desire to play 4? Rui's additional 9 pounds?

I'm not convinced that Rui will be more useful than Hunter in the playoffs but I don't get to make the call. If you're looking for an explanation as to why the front office might do this, Rui is on an expiring contract as is Dean Wade. Between Wade, Hunter, and Rui, Wade walking would hurt the most and this would allow the Cavs to go make an offer above the MLE to Wade without having to trade a core player next summer.

This looks a lot like the Okoro/Ball swap to me in that maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but either way you're off a contract a year early.

Do you think Knecht is better than just getting a first rounder back for Hunter as was mentioned in another rumor?

Nope. I don't see how Knecht climbs past Merrill on the depth chart before his rookie contract is over.

[Wisedude]

Front page article on Cle - Sac proposed trade involving Hunter is a total garbage trade.

[jbk1234]

Front page article on Cle - Sac proposed trade involving Hunter is a total garbage trade.

I've seen worse.

[toooskies]

Ellis and Schroeder at least improve out point of attack defense when we need that. It is an under-filled role on the team.

If Schroder’s contract was shorter I’d like it more, though.

[ijspeelman]

Ellis and Schroeder at least improve out point of attack defense when we need that. It is an under-filled role on the team.

If Schroder’s contract was shorter I’d like it more, though.

I like Schroder generally, but that contract two years from now could be really bad for a backup PG (and one who cannot really spot-up)

[gflem]

Ellis and Schroeder at least improve out point of attack defense when we need that. It is an under-filled role on the team.

If Schroder’s contract was shorter I’d like it more, though.

I like Schroder generally, but that contract two years from now could be really bad for a backup PG (and one who cannot really spot-up)

It's partially guaranteed, if you haven't already seen that. Around 4.5 mil so not too bad if they just want to dump him. Or, he can be used for a trade to a team looking to cut salary in 27/28 or as filler in a bigger deal in the offseason if needed. Edit, talking about the second year.

[Wisedude]

Trading Lonzo Ball would help the Cavaliers get closer to being under the second apron, as they are currently just $13.9 million over it. Lonzo Ball has a $10 million contract with a team option for next season. If the Cavaliers successfully trade Lonzo Ball, they would be much closer to getting under the second apron. So the Cavs would need to do more to get under the 2nd apron.

[jbk1234]

Trading Lonzo Ball would help the Cavaliers get closer to being under the second apron, as they are currently just $13.9 million over it. Lonzo Ball has a $10 million contract with a team option for next season. If the Cavaliers successfully trade Lonzo Ball, they would be much closer to getting under the second apron. So the Cavs would need to do more to get under the 2nd apron.

There really isn't a compelling reason for the Cavs to get under the 2nd apron before the deadline. They can aggregate so long as they end up under the second apron after the trade which will be really easy to do if they dump Ball.

[gflem]

Trading Lonzo Ball would help the Cavaliers get closer to being under the second apron, as they are currently just $13.9 million over it. Lonzo Ball has a $10 million contract with a team option for next season. If the Cavaliers successfully trade Lonzo Ball, they would be much closer to getting under the second apron. So the Cavs would need to do more to get under the 2nd apron.

There really isn't a compelling reason for the Cavs to get under the 2nd apron before the deadline. They can aggregate so long as they end up under the second apron after the trade which will be really easy to do if they dump Ball.

That's interesting, I did not know that.

[toooskies]

Trading Lonzo Ball would help the Cavaliers get closer to being under the second apron, as they are currently just $13.9 million over it. Lonzo Ball has a $10 million contract with a team option for next season. If the Cavaliers successfully trade Lonzo Ball, they would be much closer to getting under the second apron. So the Cavs would need to do more to get under the 2nd apron.

There really isn't a compelling reason for the Cavs to get under the 2nd apron before the deadline. They can aggregate so long as they end up under the second apron after the trade which will be really easy to do if they dump Ball.

The compelling reason would be to be able to trade their 2033 first at some point in the next five years. Including making it available this offseason with this year's pick, the 2031 1st, and the 2033 1st at draft time.

[jbk1234]

Trading Lonzo Ball would help the Cavaliers get closer to being under the second apron, as they are currently just $13.9 million over it. Lonzo Ball has a $10 million contract with a team option for next season. If the Cavaliers successfully trade Lonzo Ball, they would be much closer to getting under the second apron. So the Cavs would need to do more to get under the 2nd apron.

There really isn't a compelling reason for the Cavs to get under the 2nd apron before the deadline. They can aggregate so long as they end up under the second apron after the trade which will be really easy to do if they dump Ball.

The compelling reason would be to be able to trade their 2033 first at some point in the next five years. Including making it available this offseason with this year's pick, the 2031 1st, and the 2033 1st at draft time.

I have trading those picks next summer as an absolutely awful idea. That's about as *compelling* as taking out a second mortgage on your home so you can get into a crypto startup on the ground floor.