Cavs go back to a winning formula by trading Hunter for Ellis, Schroder

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.

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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 important. Jerome made sure the Cavs never had to play without multiple shot creators on the floor.

Add a strong POA 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.

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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.

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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,…

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Publish date : 2026-02-01 20:39:00

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