There was plenty of reason for the Cleveland Cavaliers to do the De'Andre Hunter trade. It got his bloated contract off the books. It also got rid of a player who just was not fitting in the way the team needed him to. Plus, with the return package they got, how could they ultimately resist?
Getting both Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder was an absolute coup for the Cavs. However, it did also come with two unique contract situations to manage moving forward. For Schroder, that involved eating his three-year, $44.4 million deal that runs through 2027-28. For Ellis, it was all about being on the hook for his next payday.
Ellis became eligible for an extension with the Cavaliers on Feb. 9. If the Cleveland and their new man are unable to reach an agreement, they will need to find a price both sides can work with during the summer. Ellis' recent comments to Michael Scotto would suggest the former Sacramento King would be very open to staying put where he is now.
"We’ll see where all the cards end up, but I do think it’s a good situation for both sides." Ellis said. "We can both help each other. ... I definitely think it’s a great situation to be in, coming from Sacramento to here now. I’m definitely excited about it for sure."
Keon Ellis sounds like he wants to be with the Cavaliers for the long haul
Finances are something of a delicate conversation for a team like the Cavaliers who are still over the second apron even after alleviating themselves of both Hunter's contract and Lonzo Ball's deal at the trade deadline. Even so, any team trading for Ellis always did so under the expectation of having to pay his next contract.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to somehow justify not handing him that deal too. Ellis has been sensational in a Cavaliers uniform.
The defensive playmaking and relentless energy brought by the two-way force has shined pretty consistently to start his career in Cleveland. Ellis has established himself as a go-to option off the bench for Kenny Atkinson in the process, something the Kings could never manage.
The problem with being a team as deep and loaded as the Cavs is it can become difficult to ensure all your guys are financially compensated to stay put. Look at Ty Jerome for a prime example from last offseason. Still, Ellis is quickly becoming a player Cleveland can't afford to let walk.