Hawks & Cavaliers Engaged in Trade Talks Around 2 Players

February 05, 2025 ,


 The Atlanta Hawks have been taking on water lately, losers of eight of their last 10 games to drop to 9th in the Eastern Conference. They've been exploring the trade market. According to sources, Atlanta is in trade talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers around a deal that could send De'Andre Hunter to Cleveland for Caris LeVert.

“Multiple sources tell cleveland.com that the Cavaliers have expressed interest in Hawks sixth man De’Andre Hunter," writes Chris Fedor. "Those talks with Atlanta, sources say, are centered on free-agent-to-be Caris LeVert — a fixture of Cleveland’s every-night rotation and a Kenny Atkinson favorite, going back to their days together with the Brooklyn Nets.” 

Hunter, 27, is having a career-best season with the Hawks, averaging 18.9 points, while shooting 38.6% from beyond the arc, both personal bests. He has two more years to run on his contract with a $24M AAV over that time. 

LeVert will be a free agent at season's end. He's averaging 10.5 points off the bench for Cleveland, while shooting a career-best 41.4% from three. But Hunter's size and length is something the Cavs have been searching for at the small forward spot.

In fact, according to Fedor, the Cavs' interest in Hunter goes back to his draft year in 2019, when he was the 4th overall pick. He also says they've done “extensive” homework on him over the years. 

But would Cleveland risk changing up a team that has been so good this season, chugging along with a 40-10 mark, tops in the East by 4.5 games over the Boston Celtics?

"You have to listen,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “You’d be really not smart if you didn’t listen and talk about how you can get better. It’s the business we’re in. We’re really good, obviously, but it could always be something out there that gets us to the next level."

The deadline is 3pm ET on Thursday. 

Photo: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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