Cavs and Lakers reportedly discussed a trade for De’Andre Hunter

On Jan 30, 2026

The Cleveland Cavaliers have played their best basketball of the season, but are reportedly still looking to upgrade their roster ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks was the big move they made at last year’s deadline. Hunter could be on the road again this winter.

According to Chris Fedor of cleveland.com, the Cavs and Los Angeles Lakers have discussed a deal centered around De’Andre Hunter for the Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. However, a third team would need to be involved to make a trade work.

Announcement

Support us and represent your community with Omaggio!

Everything purchased from links helps support Fear the Sword. You can find this cozy Cuyahoga Valley National Park hoodie HERE. You can find all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.

Finding a third team could be the problem. The Cavs are in the second apron. This means they cannot earn more money on a trade. The Lakers are just below the first square but can’t get above it in a trade like this.

Since Hunter – with his unlikely contract bonuses – makes slightly more than Hachimura and Knecht combined, a trade involving just those players is illegal for the Lakers. Los Angeles would need to trade one more player making just over $1.3 million to a third team. The second apron prevents the Cavs from taking that extra player or adding another player to the trade to balance things out.