The NBA’s 2025-26 trade season has kicked off with an impactful three-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls. This trade follows the earlier move by the Atlanta Hawks, who sent Trae Young to Washington. The particulars of the trade are as follows:
– The Cavaliers acquire Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis.
– The Kings receive De’Andre Hunter.
– The Bulls gain Dario Šarić along with two second-round picks.
Evaluating the participants in this deal reveals distinct outcomes for each team.
Starting with the Cleveland Cavaliers, they are viewed as the clear winners of this transaction, earning an A- grade. The Cavaliers entered the offseason needing to enhance their bench scoring and improve defense. By trading for Schröder, they seek to bolster their point-of-attack defense while also providing a capable backup ball-handler. Although Schröder has displayed inconsistencies throughout his career, he has shown the capability of in-season revival, particularly when joining new teams. His previous performances with the Lakers and Pistons give the Cavaliers hope that they could see him return to form.
Additionally, they welcome Keon Ellis, a talented young player who proved himself as a key defender during his tenure with the Kings. Ellis’s ability to shoot from beyond the arc adds valuable depth to Cleveland’s rotation. The Cavaliers are shedding the contract of De’Andre Hunter, who has underperformed after a promising start, thus saving around $50 million in payroll and potentially freeing up financial constraints, which is crucial given their current luxury tax situation.
The Sacramento Kings, however, find themselves on shaky ground, receiving a D for their part in the trade. They traded away Ellis, who had attracted interest from numerous teams, and took on Hunter, a player whose recent performances have not lived up to expectations. With a team struggling at the bottom of the league standings, the Kings’ decision to acquire a costly veteran instead of pursuing a younger core is puzzling. Sacrificing potential cap space for Hunter, who may not be in the franchise’s long-term plans, raises questions about the strategic direction of a franchise that has seen its fair share of misstep trades in the past.
The Chicago Bulls took a C+ grade for their involvement, acting primarily as facilitators of the trade. By absorbing Dario Šarić’s contract and gaining two second-round picks, the Bulls enhanced their position subtly. While not a game-changing move, it aligns with the type of strategic management often pursued by teams in transition like Chicago.
This trade exemplifies the complexities of team strategies in the league, particularly for franchises like the Kings and Bulls, who have faced challenges in recent years. The Cavaliers, in securing valuable role players and easing their financial burdens, may have set themselves up for a strong finish this season while others remain entangled in question marks regarding their future trajectories.
As the trade season progresses, fans can look forward to how these changes will reverberate through the league, particularly with the implications of potential playoff pushes for teams like the Cavaliers, and further recalibrations for those still searching for long-term success.