Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. Image via: Cavs and Hawks
Schroder split the 2025-26 season between Sacramento and Cleveland, landing with the Cavs ahead of February’s trade deadline and averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds across 70 total games between the two stops.
The Cavaliers are exploring multiple trade avenues involving the veteran guard as they work to open up financial flexibility for a run at free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Dennis Schroder’s stay in Cleveland may be nearing its end.
Moving his salary would help Cleveland chase Kuminga, whose $24.3 million team option was declined by Atlanta, and Watson, a restricted free agent whose rights still sit with Denver.
Category Details Player Dennis Schroder Current Team Cleveland Cavaliers Rumored Team Charlotte Hornets Contract Status 3-year deal signed with Sacramento in July 2025; roughly ($45 million) $33.26M guaranteed, ~$14.81M average annual salary Salary Cap Hit ~$14.81 million (AAV) Trade Likelihood Active, ongoing internal discussions per Cleveland.com Latest Insider Update Chris Fedor (Cleveland.com): Cavs “continue to discuss various trade packages involving Schroder” Player Prior Team Free Agency Status Signing Likelihood Jonathan Kuminga Atlanta Hawks Unrestricted (Atlanta declined $24.3M team option) Rising, tied to Cleveland clearing cap room Peyton Watson Denver Nuggets Restricted (rights held by Denver) Uncertain, likely requires a sign-and-trade Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent once Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option, and he’s coming off a season where he averaged 12.3 points on strong efficiency in just 16 Hawks appearances. Watson remains a restricted free agent whose rights sit with Denver, which likely means any Cleveland pursuit would require a sign-and-trade rather than a straight signing. Trimming Schroder’s number is the mechanism that makes chasing either one realistic.
The Hornets have previously shown interest in Schroder, and there is now talk that a trade involving him could take shape as the Cavs’ pursuit of both forwards heats up.
He’s a 22-year-old forward who can play up a position, which lines up with what Cleveland has been missing since Wade left. There’s no roster or draft package on the table here, since the Cavs aren’t trading for either forward. What they’re offering is opportunity: real minutes at forward, a rotation with a frontcourt hole left by Dean Wade’s departure to Philadelphia, and cap room created by moving off Schroder’s salary. Kuminga fits that gap directly. Watson’s fit isn’t detailed in the brief beyond his restricted free agent status and Denver’s hold on his rights, so what Cleveland would specifically offer him stays speculative until more is known.