Even with a disappointing season statistically, the Cavaliers have still drawn notable trade interest in forward De’Andre Hunter, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line also reporting that Cleveland has been involved in multiple conversations about him.
That said, the Cavs are not eager to move Hunter, Siegel notes.
While the team, currently the only franchise in the league operating above the second tax apron, has explored potential ways to trim payroll, the front office is reluctant to trade the 28-year-old for a return smaller than the package it originally paid to acquire him last year, which included Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks, and two pick swaps.
When Hunter is at his best, he fits the mold of a versatile three-and-D wing with size that many teams covet.
However, he is shooting only 30.6% from three-point range this season, and his past injury issues have made some organizations cautious, Fischer reports.
Those concerns are amplified by the fully guaranteed $24.9 million salary he is set to earn in 2026/27.
The Bucks were among the teams that showed interest earlier in the season while looking to upgrade their roster, Siegel writes, but their proposal reportedly revolved around Kyle Kuzma.
According to Siegel, Kuzma does not appeal to Cleveland, and a deal would have been difficult regardless because Kuzma’s apron salary, once unlikely incentives are included, exceeds Hunter’s.
Under second-apron restrictions, teams are not allowed to combine multiple contracts in trades or receive more than 100 percent of the salary they send out in a single-player deal.
De'Andre Hunter trade rumors and much more on the Cavaliers: https://t.co/OiPO7kQs3x
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 29, 2026
