NBA-Leading Cavs Keeping Options Open Ahead Of Trade Deadline, Won’t Force Deal

February 5, 2025

Like most teams, the Cavaliers are making and receiving calls ahead of the NBA trade deadline. It’s now less than 24 hours away (Thursday, 3 p.m. EST).

We’ve heard them linked to Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter and Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson. NBA sources have told Hoops Wire they have indeed expressed interest in both and several others.

That said, the Cavs are being careful not to shake things up too much. They’re 40-10. They don’t feel the need to dominate (or even beat) the Boston Celtics in early February. They likely also understand that this is the way the NBA works. Championships aren’t made overnight.

You have to go through growing pains. Just take a look at how long it took the Celtics to finally win a title with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as their centerpieces. Boston had to take some lumps along the way.

The Celtics also had to learn from their difficult losses. Then they went out and added true difference-makers in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Frankly, those types of moves aren’t out there for the Cavs at the moment.

If Hunter or Johnson came to Cleveland, they’d have to accept the fact there would be nights where they may not get more than seven or eight shots — not with the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and others already on the team.

Would a newcomer be happy and a fit in that situation? So adding a high-volume outside shooter/big wing is a fairly big risk, considering what the Cavs would have to give up.

That said, again, they are indeed exploring.

I’m generally OK with no trades for the majority of NBA teams. Forcing things often doesn’t end up as a positive. It is always and forever about fit. Newer GMs/ownership groups often learn that the hard way.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 5, 2025

Per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavs have talked to the Hawks about Hunter in recent days.

“With the trade deadline buzzer set to sound in about 36 hours, the East-leading Cavs are debating whether an addition needs to be made in their championship pursuit,” Fedor wrote. “Multiple sources tell Cleveland.com that the Cavaliers have expressed interest in Hawks sixth man De’Andre Hunter.”

Fedor added that the talks are centered on Cavs guard Caris LeVert, whose contract expires at the end of the season. While LeVert can be up and down in terms of scoring, he’s a valuable part of coach Kenny Atkinson‘s rotation and can always be relied on at the defensive end.

But you have to give up something to get something, and while nothing is close at the moment, the Cavs’ front office is aware of that truth and is staying active.

That said, they’re determined not to force it. With the league’s best record, you can afford to not do much, try to keep a good thing going and keep improving from within.

But if the right deal is there, without question, the Cavs will strike.