Kings’ Gamble: De’Andre Hunter Trade Ignites West Coast Power Shift!

Paul Riverbank, 2/1/2026Sacramento gambles on De’Andre Hunter, sparking major Western Conference power and roster shifts.

Take Hunter. Sacramento has watched him for a while—reports swirled that talks were underway even before the ink dried. You get the sense they picture him spaced in the corner, waiting for Sabonis to spin out a double-team and kick the ball his way. Injuries have tugged at Hunter’s career like a fraying shoelace; just as he found footing with the Hawks, he was traded to the Cavs, then barely unpacked before being shipped farther west. Statistically, you wouldn’t call him explosive, but this past year had flashes: 14 points per night, a hardworking 4.2 off the glass. That three-point clip, though—just over 30 percent—raises eyebrows, since he’d knocked them down with far more confidence before. Maybe Sacramento can draw more of that out. Low expectations can be freeing; on a team struggling near the bottom of the standings, even a brief shooting glow-up can shift moods from resigned to hopeful.

Chicago’s move runs quieter, at least for now. Saric joins a Bulls frontcourt already crowded, truth told, with Vucevic anchored in the paint and Jalen Smith hustling for minutes. But in a league where savvy forwards who pass and shoot are never just luxuries, bringing in Saric makes sense. Add in those extra second-rounders—no one’s drafting stars with picks 41 and 47, but bargains have been scooped there before. The Bulls aren’t swinging for the fences; they’re building depth (or hedging future moves, depending on how you look at it) and signaling patience to a city that’s not always known for it.

In Cleveland, it’s a little less about what’s gained and more about what’s jettisoned. By letting Hunter’s contract go, they carve out a whopping $50 million in cap and tax wiggle room. Off the books, those numbers matter almost as much as anything on the floor. It isn’t all subtraction, though: Schröder has carved out a career as a jittery, aggressive playmaker. He’s not likely to start, but every team needs a ringleader off the bench who’s happy to push the pace when things stall.

And then there’s Keon Ellis. He’s only 26—a “3-and-D” label sticks, not just because it’s handy, but because he’s actually hit 43 percent of his threes so far this season. The back of the napkin reads tidy: 8.3 points, nearly three boards, a smattering of assists, and nose-for-the-ball defense reflected in those steals. Sacramento didn’t have much use for him, but Cleveland appears to. They’re already talking about a contract extension that could hit $52 million over three years, which, if you’re Keon, is reason enough to unpack the bags and get comfortable. For the Cavaliers, he’s insurance against those rough nights when Mitchell’s the only one drawing defensive attention on the perimeter.

Trade grades? It’s wisest to wait. Sacramento’s gamble is that Hunter—flawed, yes, but talented—clicks with a core that’s felt stagnant. Cleveland’s aim is sleeker: create flexibility, double down on upside, and see if a changing cast unlocks something unexpected. Chicago banks on long paths and the steady contributions of a big man who’s seen most roles by now.

With all that churn, it’s never just about who scored what in last night’s box score. It’s about belief—whether a new piece can lift a locker room, whether front offices can outthink rivals, and which group of fans will look back in a few months and think, “That’s when things finally started to make sense again.” There’s only one certainty: none of these bets will look the same by season’s end.

Imagine the NBA’s trading window as a chessboard right after a feverish exchange—pieces shuffled, some in unexpected corners. This year, another jolt: De’Andre Hunter, gone to Sacramento. Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis landed in Cleveland. Dario Saric—a somewhat underappreciated pick-and-pop big—headed off to Chicago. Throw in two second-round draft picks, and suddenly, what once felt like a settled season tilt is wide open again.Take Hunter. Sacramento has watched him for a while—reports swirled that talks were underway even before the ink dried. You get the sense they picture him spaced in the corner, waiting for Sabonis to spin out a double-team and kick the ball his way. Injuries have tugged at Hunter’s career like a fraying shoelace; just as he found footing with the Hawks, he was traded to the Cavs, then barely unpacked before being shipped farther west. Statistically, you wouldn’t call him explosive, but this past year had flashes: 14 points per night, a hardworking 4.2 off the glass. That three-point clip, though—just over 30 percent—raises eyebrows, since he’d knocked them down with far more confidence before. Maybe Sacramento can draw more of that out. Low expectations can be freeing; on a team struggling near the bottom of the standings, even a brief shooting glow-up can shift moods from resigned to hopeful.Chicago’s move runs quieter, at least for now. Saric joins a Bulls frontcourt already crowded, truth told, with Vucevic anchored in the paint and Jalen Smith hustling for minutes. But in a league where savvy forwards who pass and shoot are never just luxuries, bringing in Saric makes sense. Add in those extra second-rounders—no one’s drafting stars with picks 41 and 47, but bargains have been scooped there before. The Bulls aren’t swinging for the fences; they’re building depth (or hedging future moves, depending on how you look at it) and signaling patience to a city that’s not always known for it.In Cleveland, it’s a little less about what’s gained and more about what’s jettisoned. By letting Hunter’s contract go, they carve out a whopping $50 million in cap and tax wiggle room. Off the books, those numbers matter almost as much as anything on the floor. It isn’t all subtraction, though: Schröder has carved out a career as a jittery, aggressive playmaker. He’s not likely to start, but every team needs a ringleader off the bench who’s happy to push the pace when things stall.And then there’s Keon Ellis. He’s only 26—a “3-and-D” label sticks, not just because it’s handy, but because he’s actually hit 43 percent of his threes so far this season. The back of the napkin reads tidy: 8.3 points, nearly three boards, a smattering of assists, and nose-for-the-ball defense reflected in those steals. Sacramento didn’t have much use for him, but Cleveland appears to. They’re already talking about a contract extension that could hit $52 million over three years, which, if you’re Keon, is reason enough to unpack the bags and get comfortable. For the Cavaliers, he’s insurance against those rough nights when Mitchell’s the only one drawing defensive attention on the perimeter.Trade grades? It’s wisest to wait. Sacramento’s gamble is that Hunter—flawed, yes, but talented—clicks with a core that’s felt stagnant. Cleveland’s aim is sleeker: create flexibility, double down on upside, and see if a changing cast unlocks something unexpected. Chicago banks on long paths and the steady contributions of a big man who’s seen most roles by now.With all that churn, it’s never just about who scored what in last night’s box score. It’s about belief—whether a new piece can lift a locker room, whether front offices can outthink rivals, and which group of fans will look back in a few months and think, “That’s when things finally started to make sense again.” There’s only one certainty: none of these bets will look the same by season’s end.