The Cavaliers and Hawks continue to discuss a potential trade that would send forward De’Andre Hunter to Cleveland, as Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line tweet. Reporting earlier this week indicated that the two teams were talking about a deal centered around Hunter and Caris LeVert, with a subsequent report referring to the Cavs as the frontrunner to land Hunter.
According to Fischer and Stein, one complication in the talks is that both Cleveland and Atlanta would like to end up below the luxury tax line.
The Hawks are currently below that threshold by approximately $1.2MM, while the Cavs are above it by about $1.8MM, so a third team would likely need to be brought in as a facilitator to take on a contract and ensure both teams are able to remain out of tax territory.
The Pistons, who still have a good deal of cap flexibility, could be a third party to watch, observes Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link).
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA with the 2025 deadline just a couple hours away:
- After agreeing to acquire Brandon Ingram and accommodate a Miami salary dump, the Raptors are still exploring the possibility of making one more move, likely involving big man Chris Boucher, reports Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link).
- The Heat, who are about $2.8MM above the luxury tax line after reaching a deal with Toronto today, will likely continue trying to get below that threshold before this afternoon’s deadline, tweets Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
- Although the Trail Blazers have a handful of veteran trade candidates on their roster, there hasn’t been a ton of trade chatter in Portland, according to Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian, who suggests that big man Robert Williams is the only player consistently mentioned in the days leading up to the deadline. Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, and Deandre Ayton had also been considered available, but they’re on bigger contracts and have played crucial roles in the Blazers’ recent hot streak.
- Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star explains why various moves and reports from around the league point to the Pacers having a relatively quiet trade deadline.
- Arguing in favor of the Knicks keeping center Mitchell Robinson rather than trading him, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required) makes the case that a healthy Robinson is the most impactful player the team could realistically add this month.
Robinson would be a good backup once he comes back but he’s been out for too long and that contract could be moved to get a better center
Time lord would be really fun in NY
You’d be getting someone who is somehow less available than Mitch. But a healthy Rob clears Mitch
Why would the Hawks trade Hunter for Levert? Hunter is having a great year. How does this benefit the Hawks in any way?
I was thinking the same. Hunter is a nice player and doesn’t make THAT much money. Why get rid of him for Lavert of all people.
One might assume that there will be pick(s) involved.
Also, to match salaries another player, likely Tyson.
Hawks have no plan….
Chauncey looked near giddy in the post-game interview after that 2nd win over PHX. The chemistry building on this team is clear. No need to rush anything. Simons, Timelord, JG, Ayton… great attitudes and they’ll still be here at the end of the year with contracts that will look even better. Teams are clearly getting their overall payrolls in order with the new CBA and despite all the complaints on how restrictive the terms were, teams are able to make massive 3 or 4 team trades. The young guys in PDX will continue to get their reps in and have a safety net with these vets around to keep games competitive.
Good job Cronin!
Let’s don’t get ahead of ourselves. They’ve somehow won a few games in a row but most of these team aren’t very good or coming off a game the night before…the real slim shady will stand up eventually.
Zero trades in PDX? Strange after all the early season tanking and trade rumors to free time for Scoot and Sharpe, blazers stand pat and preach chemistry now? All while bringing Scoot and Sharpe off the bench now? “Something strange in the neighborhood” and they start winning while games suddenly seem less scripted. Anyone else notice the refs are allowing the players to play with minimal stoppage now? And why do they allow Sharpe to be continually hacked with no calls to protect this freak athlete? The league is missing out on Sharpe who should be promoted as a true rising superstar “who jumps out of the building” Like MJ!!! What a disservice to NBA basketball fans!