Cavs Go Back To Winning Formula With De’andre Hunter For Keon Ellis And Dennis Schroder Trade

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 06: Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on April 06, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Kings defeated the Cavaliers 120-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder as part of a three-team deal. This move cuts losses and returns Cleveland’s roster to the previous status quo.

Let me explain.

Think of last year’s roster construction. We know the starting lineup was killer, but Ty Jerome’s importance as a Sixth Man of the Year guard was just as necessary. Jerome made sure the Cavs never had to play without multiple shot creators on the floor.

Add a strong point-of-attack defender in Isaac Okoro, and the Cavs always had a wrench to throw at opponents when they needed stops. This optionality between Okoro and Jerome gave Cleveland levers they could pull at any point.

Is that not the vision with Ellis and Schroder?

Ellis is an elite perimeter defender. Just as good, if not more impactful than Okoro due to his defensive playmaking. He’s a truly disruptive player who can generate steals and blocks at a rate that Okoro never did. All the while, Ellis is a more willing and threatening three-point shooter.

As for Schroder, this is as safe a backup guard as you can ask for. He’s been kicked around the league for years, in large part because he’s good enough to warrant interest on the trading market, but not valuable enough to keep off the block. Schroder won’t replace Jerome’s efficient, high-volume scoring, but he is easily the best backup point guard on the roster, right now.

An upgrade for Okoro and a downgrade for Jerome. The Ellis/Schroder additions put the Cavs roughly back to where they were a year ago. I’d argue that’s a good thing, considering the massive success this roster construction previously had.

But then there’s the De’Andre Hunter of it all.

The Cavs sorely needed a small forward with legit size last season. A year later, they are right back in that hole.

Cleveland has a whopping nine players who are guard-sized: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Craig Porter Jr, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Lonzo Ball, and now Ellis and Schroder.

Certainly, a few of these players can scale up to play small forward. Tyson, Strus, and Merrill have all proven they fill minutes at the wing. The emergence of Tyson, especially, has saved the Cavs from being in an extreme bind right now.

Still, there’s a logjam in the backcourt full of guards trying to be wings. There always has been. That’s why trading for Hunter last season was seen as such a necessary move. Hunter, for his flaws, had the size and raw potential of a player who could be the missing piece.

That didn’t pan out.

Hunter fell to all of his worst tendencies this season. A low motor defender who can’t create for others or play in a team system. Hunter could previously lean on being a 6’8” wing who can shoot efficiently from deep. But the writing was on the wall once his jumper disappeared (career-low 30% shooter this season).

This trade is a bet against Hunter. A gamble that Hunter is showing his true colors this season—and that last year—was just an outlier. Getting rid of Hunter is a risk that no one can blame the Cavs for taking, considering how actively damaging he had become to the team. Some of his recent turnovers might have been the final straw, in all honesty.

There’s no shame in cutting your losses early. Hunter wasn’t working out, and we know that Ellis and Schroder lend themselves to a style that did work last season. Thus, the Cavs have recouped the playmaking and perimeter defense that they lost in the summer. In the process, they are back to having zero small forwards on the roster above 6’6” that aren’t named Dean Wade.

Perhaps most importantly, the Cavs have taken a step towards reganing financially stability. They’ve saved $50 million in luxury taxes and are now just $13.9 million above the second apron. Another salary dump could allow the Cavs to reintroduce themselves as serious contenders on the trade market.

In summary, the Cavs have punted on the Hunter experience and pivoted back to a blueprint that has worked in the past. Along the way, they save money and open the door to future moves that could help them address their need for size on the wing. It’s the type of move that you have to applaud — even if you question the previous decisions that made this trade necessary.