The Cleveland Cavaliers, currently sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference, made a significant move by acquiring forward De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks early Friday morning. This trade occurred just hours before the 3 p.m. EST deadline, highlighting the urgency of their strategy to strengthen the team. In return, the Cavaliers are sending Caris LeVert and Georges Niang to Atlanta, along with future second-round draft picks and opportunities for draft pick swaps.

De’Andre Hunter has been averaging 19 points per game this season with the Hawks, making him a valuable addition to the Cavaliers’ roster. In contrast, Caris LeVert and Georges Niang have been contributing less in terms of scoring, averaging 10.1 and 8.6 points per game, respectively, while largely serving in bench roles for the Cavaliers.

Adding to the evening’s trading activities, the Hawks finalized a separate deal with the Houston Rockets late Thursday. They successfully reacquired the draft rights to Alpha Kaba by trading Cody Zeller and a 2028 second-round pick to Houston, further reshaping their roster in the lead-up to the trade deadline.