REACTION: Cleveland Cavaliers trade DeAndre Hunter to Kings for Dennis Schroder & Keon Ellis
Cleveland Cavaliers get: G Dennis Schroder, G Keon Ellis
Sacramento Kings get: F De’Andre Hunter
Chicago Bulls get: F Dario Saric, two future second-round picks
Grade for Cleveland: B+
Grade for Sacramento: C
Grade for Chicago: A
What this deal means for the Cavaliers: Ellis improbably became one of the most in-demand players at the deadline while playing a smaller role than last season because of his minimum salary and combined with a 3-and-D skill set that fits better on a contending team than it did in Sacramento.
In part, Ellis’ role has shrunk because he hasn’t shot the ball as well as last season, when he hit an effective 64% of his shots when accounting for the added value of 3-point attempts. This season, he has slumped to 37% on 3s and just 46% inside the arc, both his lowest marks in a full season. (He played just 71 minutes in 2022-23 as an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract.)
Over the full sample of his career, Ellis is at 42% on 3s and 56.5% for 2s for 61% effective shooting that makes him one of the league’s most efficient perimeter role players. At 6-foot-4, he also has the size to defend either backcourt spot and particularly excels on the ball with his quickness. He has defended the opposing player who brings the ball up on 24% of his defensive possessions this season, according to GeniusIQ tracking.
I particularly like how Ellis will fit alongside Donovan Mitchell, who has played nearly as much point guard this season as he has off the ball as Darius Garland has experienced toe injuries. Ellis can free Mitchell from having to defend ball handlers in those lineups while also spacing the floor at the other end.
