{"id":175359,"date":"2026-01-31T15:52:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T20:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=175359"},"modified":"2026-01-31T15:52:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T20:52:28","slug":"lakers-cavs-nets-deandre-hunter-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/31\/lakers-cavs-nets-deandre-hunter-rumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Fans Can Breathe Sigh of Relief Over De’Andre Hunter Rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a day of <\/span>mock trades<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>jersey swaps<\/span><\/a>, it seems reports of <\/span>De\u2019Andre Hunter<\/span><\/a> coming to the Lakers were greatly exaggerated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Fans Can Breathe Sigh of Relief Over De’Andre Hunter Rumors<\/h2>\n

Marc Stein Cools Heat on Lakers, Hunter Talk<\/h3>\n

In his <\/span>\u201cSaturday Morning Confidential\u201d on Substack<\/span><\/a>, NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed the Lakers\u2019 interest in Hunter was <\/span>\u201coverstated.\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cLeague sources say that the Lakers’ interest in Hunter, meanwhile, has been repeatedly overstated this week. The teams have certainly talked during this transaction cycle, but the purple and gold are reticent to jeopardize their upcoming financial flexibility in the offseason by absorbing Hunter’s $24.9 million salary for next season.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While the team\u2019s perceived interest in Hunter brewed for weeks, a <\/span>report<\/span><\/a> from Cavs insider Chris Fedor fanned the flames toward a potential deal. The \u201cgeneral framework” had the <\/span>Lakers<\/span><\/a> acquiring Hunter for <\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Dalton Knecht<\/span><\/a>. He added that a third team, namely the Brooklyn Nets, could potentially get involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers fans quickly shut down the idea of trading for Hunter. Many argued that he’s at or below the level of <\/span>Hachimura<\/span><\/a>, who recently <\/span>adapted to a bench role<\/span><\/a> after returning from a calf injury. While <\/span>Hunter is a decent fit on paper<\/span><\/a>, the truth is there are better options out there. Wings who better suit the Lakers\u2019 needs while giving them financial flexibility in the offseason.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Rui and Knecht for De\u2019Andre Hunter?<\/p>\n

Lakers want a slightly smaller small forward that shoots worse from 3?<\/p>\n

Yeah, that\u2019s a no for me dawg. pic.twitter.com\/cGgEjeOnj8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lee Parayno (@leeparayno) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n