The NBA trade deadline hasn't quite exploded into life just yet, with the clock ticking on Giannis Antetokounmpo to be moved and the remaining dominos to fall.
There has been some activity however, with the Cleveland Cavaliers pulling off a clever move in landing Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings. A player the Phoenix Suns should have pushed hard to acquire.
Former Sun Dario Saric included in De'Andre Hunter deal
Ellis was sent to Cleveland alongside Dennis Schroder which saw De'Andre Hunter head the other way to Sacramento. A small detail required to make the trade work was that it became a three team affair.
BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks. pic.twitter.com/Hoc6bP0hhj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2026
The Chicago Bulls getting involved and collecting a pair of second round picks, plus former Suns player Dario Saric, in the process.
Now 31-years-old, it is fair to say that Saric's career has unfortunately only gone in one direction since appearing in 14 games as the Suns made the NBA Finals back in 2021.
This season he had suited up five times for the Kings prior to being traded, and it is unclear what the Bulls plan to do with him at this point as well.
They were in this deal for the future draft capital, and it may be that a return to Europe is the best course of action for the Croatian.
For the Suns, this trade helps them get one step closer to potentially solving a roster dilemma of their own. Not that Royce O'Neale thinks there is anything to fix.
Phoenix has been rumored to be interested in upgrading the power forward position, and guys like Hunter and Ellis swapping places confirms that there are deals to be done out there if they want to.
Jeremy Sochan was a name we heard mentioned last week, and although only 22-years-old with some intriguing upside, it is unclear if he is the player owner Mat Ishbia would want to spring for.
Ishbia himself having done a brilliant job of not getting drawn into making trades just for the sake of it, despite some big names still out there waiting to be acquired.
The chemistry the current roster has is special, although there is a certain irony in the fact that the last time the vibes were this high in The Valley, Saric was on the team.
Hopefully he gets a chance to impress in Chicago, otherwise he is going to be on the move again and is is likely to be out of the league altogether.