We’re less than a week away from the February 5th trade deadline and the rumor mill is in full swing.
According to Cleveland reporter Chris Fendor of Cleveland.com, the Lakers and Cavaliers have discussed a “general framework” of a trade that centers around Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht going to the Cavs and sends De’Andre Hunter to the Lakers.
Fendor also mentioned that a third team would be brought into the trade, citing the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets as potential suitors due to their flexible cap situations. The Lakers have dealt with the Jazz, Nets and Cavs numerous times in the past and have established working relationships with those front offices.
What Does Cleveland Benefit?
The Cavs are currently $22 million over the second apron and are the only team over that threshold. Being over the second apron comes with a lot of penalties, one being that they can’t send out more than one contract in a trade. By sending out Hunter, who is still under contract for next season, in exchange for Hachimura’s expiring salary, they would create some financial relief for themselves this summer.
While this move for Cleveland is mainly motivated by financial reasons, getting Hachimura would give them an added offensive boost this season and a great perimeter shooter going into the playoffs.
What Does L.A. Benefit?
When evaluating a Hachimura for Hunter swap from L.A.’s perspective, the trade doesn’t move the needle much for the Lakers. Hunter’s impact defensively is not that much more distinct from Rui’s to warrant this move.
Hachimura is shooting 43.3% from three this season, his best as a Laker, while Hunter is shooting an abnormal career-low from distance at 30.9%. Hunter has hovered around 40% from three in the last four seasons prior.
Adding De’Andre Hunter this season would also hinder some of the Lakers’ potential spending power this summer, though his contract is very tradeable and only lasts until 2027. But this is only a proposed framework of a trade. There are many moving parts and factors that come into play once a trade is finalized.
If the trade expands to a third team like the Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers are able to add some role players from them, then the trade becomes more enticing for L.A.
The Lakers only have three more games before Thursday’s deadline, including tonight vs the Washington Wizards. What the Lakers ultimately decide to do will heavily impact how they finish this season as well as how they operate this upcoming offseason.
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