Fantasy Basketball Fallout From the Cavs-Kings-Bulls Trade

The NBA trade deadline is closing in, but not many moves have happened yet. Things changed on Saturday when the Cavaliers, Kings and Bulls made a deal.

The Cavaliers traded De'Andre Hunter to Sacramento, with Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis coming back in return. Sacramento sent Dario Saric to the Bulls in the deal, with Chicago also acquiring two second-round picks too.

The Kings opened a roster spot, and they used it to convert Dylan Cardwell to a standard NBA deal (he was a two-way contract before that). Chicago had to waive Jevon Carter in order to add Saric.

All-in-all, it's a deal that will shake up all three teams, so let's break it all down.

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Player Stats

Hunter appeared in 43 games (23 starts) for the Cavaliers this season. He averaged 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.1 blocks over 26.2 minutes a night. Hunter shot 42.3% overall and was just 30.8% from deep.

Schroder started 14 of the 40 games he appeared in for Sacramento. He averaged 12.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks over 26.4 minutes a night. Schroder shot 40.8% overall and was 34.3% from 3-point land.

Ellis started five of the 43 games he appeared in for Sacramento, averaging 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.6 assists and 0.5 blocks over 17.6 minutes a night. He shot 39.7% overall and was 36.8% from 3-point land.

Saric only has appeared in five games for Sacramento, averaging 8.2 minutes a night. He averaged 1 point, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists while shooting 16.7% overall and 33.3% from deep.

Cardwell has started once over his 23 appearances this season. He is averaging 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.7 steals over 19.8 minutes a night. Cardwell is shooting 58.2% overall.

Carter played in 23 games for the Bulls this season, averaging 5.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks over 11 minutes a night. He shot 39.8% overall and was 41% from deep.

Cavaliers' Outlook

I like this deal the best for Cleveland, so let's discuss them first.

They rid themselves of Hunter's big contract, and add two worthwhile pieces to a contending team. Schroder and Ellis are both guard options, and are good backups for Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell when the team is fully healthy.

Garland is battling an injury now, so Schroder or Ellis could start right away for Cleveland. Evan Mobley is also out for a bit, so the newcomers could take on a few more minutes at least initially.

Obviously if they eventually slip back into depth roles, their fantasy outlooks will be hampered a bit, but the real world impact for the Cavs is great for their title chances.

No more Hunter around means Dean Wade should be starting or at least playing more, granted Cleveland doesn't make any more moves. Jaylon Tyson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin could also have expanded roles without Hunter around, and especially now with Mobley out too.

Jarrett Allen will continue to serve as the team's center, and then the likes of Sam Merrill, Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr., Larry Nance Jr. and Tyrese Proctor are other rotation options. Adding Schroder and Ellis to the mix could slash some minutes, especially for the guards, so Merrill, Ball, Porter and Procter.

I think this move is a positive for the Cavs overall. It lengthens the rotation a bit and gives the team some other options as Garland works through his injury. Cleveland could afford to rest Mitchell a bit more down the stretch now too, so that the team is ready to roll for the playoffs.

Moving on from Hunter is the bigger difference maker, and opens minutes at the forward spots. Keep tabs on the Cavs' game logs over the next several games to see how Schroder and Ellis slot in, and who might take on more minutes in Hunter's absence.

Kings' Outlook

The Kings are in retool/rebuild mode, but really have a nice collection of talent assembled.

Hunter should slot in as the starting small forward, or at least play a healthy amount of minutes. His fantasy outlook probably rises a bit from this move, and he could really take off if Sacramento moves some other players in additional deals.

With no more Schroder and Ellis, Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk should hold down the point guard spot. Both are dealing with injuries now, so Nique Clifford and Devin Carter might handle a few more minutes in the meantime.

Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis are the other starters for now, and Keegan Murray could work his way back into the mix when he returns from his injury.

I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of those guys I just mentioned are dealt before the deadline, but for now, they are all still pretty good fantasy assets, even with Hunter joining the fray.

Maxime Raynaud, Precious Achiuwa, Cardwell and Drew Eubanks are some other players who will help fill out the rotation for now. They are in secondary roles when the team is at or close to full health, but could take on more if a veteran or two is moved at the deadline.

The deal doesn't really impact many players in Sacramento. Monk and Westbrook already played plenty and were solid fantasy assets, and adding Hunter to the mix only becomes a big deal for when Murray returns, and the Kings could look vastly different by then.

Again, be watching the team's game logs to see who steps up, or sees a decrease in playing time/production after the trade.

Bulls' Outlook

Chicago isn't super affected by the trade, as they were more happy to add a couple picks then they were to add Saric or waive Carter.

Josh Giddey and Tre Jones will hold down the point guard spot for the Bulls, with Ayo Dosunmu another option there, and at shooting guard. Coby White is usually the starting SG, but like Giddey, he's hurt right now. That means more for Dosunmu, Jones (who is also out) and Kevin Huerter.

Huerter can also play small forward, where Isaac Okoro normally starts. Dalen Terry or Dosunmu are other options there too.

At power forward, Chicago has Matas Buzelis. Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith (who is injured too) are additional options. Saric will be an option at center, but buried on the depth chart behind Nikola Vucevic, Smith, Lachlan Olbrich and Williams.

Zach Collins is another forward option, but you guessed it, is hurt right now. Julian Phillips is an option to pick up more, especially in the near future, as the Bulls are dealing with a load of injuries.

Chicago is battling for a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, and the trade/waive doesn't really do much for the rotation overall. Things are more in flux now because of all the players missing time, so keep an eye on the injury report and add/drop streaming option as needed.

The only waiver wire options in the top 25 today are Chicago's Huerter and Dosunmu. Most of the reason they are on the rise is due to the team playing on Sunday and those two playing more and producing more of late.