With the NBA’s February 5 trade deadline less than a week away, the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have at least six trade targets. But one of them — DeAndre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers — may be at or near the top of their wish list.
In fact, the Lakers and Cavaliers have discussed the “general framework” of a trade that would send Hunter to Los Angeles, according to Chris Fedor, who appeared on the “Wine and Gold” podcast. Fedor said the framework will cost Los Angeles forward Rui Hachimura and second-year winger Dalton Knecht.
“I just want to say from the people that I’ve talked to, my sources tell me that there’s been a general framework discussed between the Cavaliers and the Lakers and a third team. It’s hard because the Lakers are right under the tarmac — about $900,000 under the tarmac, but they’re a team Tax teams so they have some restrictions and we all know the complexity the Cavaliers have when it comes to trades they can’t pool payroll and they only have one true first round player but my sources tell me the Cavaliers and Lakers have had discussions surrounding De’Andre Hunter (Rui Hachimura) and Dalton Knecht (Dalton Knecht) of the overall framework, and then introduced the third team.
Hunter seems to fit the prototype of the ideal 3-and-D wing or forward that the Lakers desperately need to become a championship contender. He’s 6-foot-7, weighs about 220 pounds, has a reported wingspan of about 7-foot-2, and has plenty of athleticism. At 28, his timeline could be in line with Luka Doncic’s.
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The only concern about Hunter is his shooting this season. His overall field goal percentage this season is only 42.2% and his three-point shooting percentage is 30.9%, but his career overall shooting percentage is 44.8% and his three-point shooting percentage is 36.5%. He’s an excellent complementary scorer (13.9 points per game this season, 14.7 points per game for his career), and he’s considered a capable defender.
He has one season left on his contract, and his total income this season will reach $23.3 million.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers, Cavaliers have discussed ‘general framework’ of DeAndre Hunter trade
