If you want to nitpick Cleveland’s return here, you might point out that 6’7″ De’Andre Hunter is comfortably bigger than both Keon Ellis (6’4″) and Dennis Schröder (6’1″). And over the years, trying to figure out who will log minutes at the 3 has been one of the more persistent questions about the Cavs.
Losing a player with typical wing size could eventually prove to be a bit of a problem. But let’s face it, this is a clear and unequivocal win for the Cavs.
Hunter is shooting 30.8 percent from three this season. He offers little in the way of rebounding and playmaking. And Cleveland’s net rating absolutely craters when he’s on the floor.
Taking him out of the rotation and plugging in Ellis (a plus defender for years and a well-above-average three-point shooter for his career) and Schröder (an experienced heat-check guard) makes the Cavs more dynamic on both ends of the floor.
And, as if all of that wasn’t enough, the combined salaries of the incoming players is less than Hunter’s by itself. According to Charania, the deal is going to save Cleveland $50 million in salary and tax penalties.
From just about every angle, Cleveland’s front office aced this deal.