Trade chatter intensifies around Cavaliers, Nets, Grizzlies and others as deadline nears
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are weighing their options after forward DeAndre Hunter’s underwhelming play in 2025-26, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Cleveland obtained Hunter in its lone in-season deal last year, but the 26-year-old has struggled, including a two-point, three-turnover outing in 18 minutes during Monday’s loss to Utah.
Fedor reports the Cavaliers have not held substantive trade talks despite fielding at least one offer for Hunter. Club officials still want to evaluate the roster at full strength; the team finished the first half 22-19 while dealing with injuries to Max Strus (out several more weeks) and Dean Wade (knee, MRI clear). Head coach Kenny Atkinson called Hunter’s slump “prolonged,” adding, “He’s too good of a player to be playing like this.”
Nets could keep Porter past deadline
Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks is known for patience, and The New York Post’s Brian Lewis writes that Michael Porter Jr. might stay put if asking prices aren’t met. An assistant GM told the newspaper he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Nets retain Porter and rest him frequently after the deadline to improve draft positioning.
Grizzlies mull future without Morant
Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko says Memphis appears ready to move forward without Ja Morant and is exploring possibilities outlined in colleague Kevin O’Connor’s hypothetical trades. League executives are monitoring whether the Grizzlies will eventually discuss Jaren Jackson Jr., though the team insists he is not available.
Lakers scenarios, other proposed deals
Dan Woike of The Athletic floated six concepts for the Lakers, including packages for Andrew Wiggins, Herbert Jones, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Justin Champagnie. Woike also cited obstacles such as New Orleans’ reluctance to part with Jones and Los Angeles’ hesitancy to absorb long-term salary for Caldwell-Pope.
Separately, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie offered several trades he would like to see: Chicago’s Coby White to Detroit’s trade exception for draft capital; a three-team swap sending Porter to Golden State and Jonathan Kuminga to Sacramento; and a Daniel Gafford-for-Bennedict Mathurin deal between Indiana and Dallas.
The NBA trade deadline is now less than a month away, leaving front offices to decide whether to stand pat or reshape rosters for the stretch run.
Source: Hoops Rumors
