Cavaliers, Kings, and Bulls Complete Three-Team Trade
CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers have finalized a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls, acquiring guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, the team announced on Sunday, January 31, 2026. In exchange, the Cavaliers sent De’Andre Hunter to the Kings.
The deal sees the Bulls receiving Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round draft picks. Chicago is also waiving guard Jevon Carter to create roster space for Saric, according to sources.
The Cavaliers are strategically leveraging this trade to alleviate salary cap pressures. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the transaction will save Cleveland approximately $50 million in salary and luxury tax bills this season, reducing their tax bill from $164 million to $120 million. This move also positions the team to operate under the second apron next season.
Keon Ellis, currently on an expiring $2.3 million contract, is eligible for a three-year, $52 million extension starting February 9, 2026. The Cavaliers retain the ability to re-sign Ellis even while operating as an apron team.
For the Kings, the acquisition of De’Andre Hunter, 28, brings an established 3-and-D wing to Sacramento under contract through next season. Hunter has averaged 14 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. The trade also provides the Kings with roster flexibility, potentially allowing them to convert two-way center Dylan Cardwell to a standard NBA contract. Cardwell, an undrafted rookie, has shown promise, averaging 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game.
The Bulls will absorb Saric’s expiring contract, worth $5.4 million, and receive future assets in the form of draft picks. The Cavaliers are sending the Bulls the 2027 second-round pick originally owned by the Denver Nuggets, while the Kings are contributing a 2029 second-round pick. The Kings’ pick will be the least favorable of picks from the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks.
Dennis Schroder, who signed a three-year deal with the Kings last summer, averaged 12.8 points and 5.3 assists per game in Sacramento. His contract is structured at $14.1 million, $14.8 million, and $15.5 million over the course of the deal, with the final year partially guaranteed. He joins a Cavaliers team where he and Chicago’s Tre Jones are the only players averaging 10 points and 5 assists off the bench this season.
Keon Ellis has emerged as a notable defender, averaging 5.6 points per game and ranking among the league leaders in steals and blocks per 36 minutes, alongside Detroit’s Ausar Thompson. He averages 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per 36 minutes.
The trade was met with skepticism by some, including Charles Barkley, who questioned the logic of the deal for both the Cavaliers and the Kings.
