01-30-2026, 09:56 AM
Some louder and louder rumors about Lakers and Cleveland discussing a trade. Hunter to Lakers and Rui and Knecht to Cleveland. Due to all the cap limitations between the two teams, there has to be additional pieces and a third team involved to make it legal. I guess another Lakers expiring contract (Maxi or Vincent) to a team like Brooklyn and another player or two going to LA.
Hunter is a nice player having a bad season. Not really sure about his Lakers fit, especially this season with three stars doing most of shooting (when healthy). Could be a nice piece next to Luka and Reaves next season, if LeBron is no longer around. Still, I sort of like Rui and his elite shooting better as I am not sure that Hunter is a significantly better defender. Also pretty big red flag that he couldn't keep the starting spot in Cleveland rotation (actually lost it to a 2-way guy). Rui on the other hand, could be really nice addition to Cleveland rotation.
If they make this move, Lakers would spend a good chunk of their cap space for next season, signaling sort of a change of direction. They could still operate with some 25 mil of cap space, depending on what other salaries would be included. Cleveland clears a bunch of salary for next season and is now positioned to be under the second apron, assuming they don't resign Rui.
The answers to who the third team will be, who will pay them to play along and what player goes to LA will determine the quality of this trade.
Hunter is a nice player having a bad season. Not really sure about his Lakers fit, especially this season with three stars doing most of shooting (when healthy). Could be a nice piece next to Luka and Reaves next season, if LeBron is no longer around. Still, I sort of like Rui and his elite shooting better as I am not sure that Hunter is a significantly better defender. Also pretty big red flag that he couldn't keep the starting spot in Cleveland rotation (actually lost it to a 2-way guy). Rui on the other hand, could be really nice addition to Cleveland rotation.
If they make this move, Lakers would spend a good chunk of their cap space for next season, signaling sort of a change of direction. They could still operate with some 25 mil of cap space, depending on what other salaries would be included. Cleveland clears a bunch of salary for next season and is now positioned to be under the second apron, assuming they don't resign Rui.
The answers to who the third team will be, who will pay them to play along and what player goes to LA will determine the quality of this trade.
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