The Cleveland Cavaliers recently turned down a compelling trade offer.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers recently turned down a "compelling" trade offer for De'Andre Hunter.
The Cavaliers are not interested in trading Hunter, who shot down rumors that he wants out of Cleveland.
"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 37 games this season for the Cavaliers. He's averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 42.8% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc and 87.5% 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 23-19. They are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. If the regular season ended today, Cleveland would be in the NBA play-in tournament.
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.