Does A Hunter For Hachimura/Knecht Trade Make Sense?
Since this trade is quite complicated, it is a long shot. The bigger question is, should the Cavaliers do such a deal?
Hunter has struggled this year, posting a 49.9% effective field goal percentage, which is the lowest since his rookie campaign. He has also struggled on the defensive end, particularly at the 3-point line where opponents are shootign 45% from there against him. Granted, he is tasked with guarding the opponent’s top non-big offensive players.
Hachimura is a solid second- or third-option scorer who is an elite-level shooter. The 27-year-old, who has compiled a nearly 60% effective field goal percentage in his four seasons with the Lakers, is a capable rebounder, though he has struggled in that area this year. He is also not great defensively.
Knecht has struggled to stay in the Lakers’ rotation this year, in part because of his defensive shortcomings. Known as a knockdown shooter, the 24-year-old is shooting less than 32% from deep this season.
This trade is way too complicated, with the bottom line being that the Cavs should say no. The lone exception is if the Cavs would like to reduce their salary cap for next season. In that case, it may be worth it for the Cavs who could theoretically acquire Hachimure along with either Kevin Love (via Utah) or Day’Ron Sharpe (via Brooklyn) as Knecht would be headed to Brooklyn or Utah.
