The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't want to make this trade.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Cleveland Cavaliers rejected a first-round pick trade offer for De'Andre Hunter.
The Cavaliers don't want to trade Hunter.
"They're unlikely to make a substantial change I'm told before the trade deadline," Siegel said. "They've been quiet as of late. There were teams calling them about De'Andre Hunter. There was a lot of smoke about could De'Andre Hunter possibly be on the move.
"They've rebuffed offers for Hunter at this point. They've even turned down an offer that included a first-round pick for him."
A report came out stating that Hunter prefers to get traded. However, the report was false, as Hunter told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that he wants to remain with the Cavaliers.
"I haven't said a word about nothing to nobody," Hunter said. "Not about wanting to be traded. Not about anything. When I saw the article, I was just as surprised as you probably were. ... Why would I want to be traded? I'm happy here for real. I have no reason not to be happy here. My time here has been great."
Hunter has played in 41 games this season for the Cavaliers. He's averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 42.0% from the field, 30.6% from beyond the arc and 87.9% from the free-throw line.
In 27 games for Cleveland last season, Hunter averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. The former Atlanta Hawks swingman shot 48.5% overall, 42.6% from 3 and 82.1% from the foul line.
As you can see by the numbers, Hunter shot the ball better last season, but there's still plenty of time left this season for that to change. The 28-year-old Hunter, who doesn't have a no-trade clause, is making $23.3 million this season. He'll make $24.9 million next season in the final year of his contract.
The Cavaliers are only 26-20. They are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
It's been a disappointing campaign thus far for the Wine and Gold, who had the best record in the conference last season. The Cavaliers swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2025 playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five quick games.
Most people around the NBA don't expect the Cavaliers to make any significant changes to their roster at the 2026 NBA trade deadline despite having the most expensive team in the league. President of basketball operations Koby Altman still believes in the "Core 4" of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.
It will be fascinating to see if Hunter and the Cavaliers can turn things around this season. Cleveland hasn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2018, the final campaign of LeBron James' second stint.
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