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Cavaliers Push Back on De'Andre Hunter Trade Overtures as Deadline Nears

Cleveland is prioritizing internal improvement over moving the struggling wing.

Overview

  • Following a home loss to the Jazz, the Cavaliers sit 22-19 after a sharp drop from last season's elite form.
  • Cleveland has rebuffed trade offers for De'Andre Hunter to this point, with reporting noting a focus on evaluating from within ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
  • Hunter’s agency has been linked by reports to potential Klutch-for-Klutch scenarios involving the Lakers (Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent) or the Hornets (Miles Bridges).
  • Hunter is averaging 14.1 points since arriving last season but is shooting a career-worst 30.3% from three this year and is under contract through 2026-27.
  • A reported $392.4 million in payroll and tax obligations and Max Strus’ absence until at least February constrain Cleveland’s flexibility to reshape the roster.