Cleveland Charge Trade for Zack Austin

The Charge acquired the returning player rights to Zack Austin and a second-round pick from the OKC Blue in a multi-player swap.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Basketball

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The Cleveland Charge have finalized a trade with the OKC Blue to acquire the returning player rights to forward Zack Austin and a second-round draft pick. In exchange, the Charge sent the rights to Killian Hayes, Justyn Hamilton, and Babatunde Akingbola to Oklahoma City.

Why it matters

This trade adds Zack Austin to the Charge roster as the team prepares to build on its successful 23-13 record from the previous season. The move provides the organization with additional depth and draft capital as the new campaign approaches.

Zack Austin, a 25-year-old standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, recorded shooting splits of 51/42/83. During the 2025-26 regular season, the Cleveland Charge maintained a 23-13 record.

The players

Zack Austin

He is a 25-year-old forward standing 6 feet 7 inches tall who has transitioned to the Cleveland Charge organization.

Killian Hayes

He is a professional basketball player whose returning player rights were transferred from the Cleveland Charge to the OKC Blue.

Cleveland Charge

The professional basketball team based in Cleveland competes as the G League affiliate of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.

OKC Blue

The professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City operates as the G League affiliate for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The details

Austin joins the Charge following his participation in the team's training camp and preseason activities. The trade package sent to the Blue includes Killian Hayes, who played for Cleveland during the previous season, alongside Justyn Hamilton and Babatunde Akingbola.

The 2025-26 season saw the Charge finish with a 23-13 record.
The trade was reported on October 14, 2026.
The NBA season is scheduled to begin on October 20, 2026.
The Cavaliers are set to debut against the Sixers on October 22, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This transaction shapes the Charge roster heading into the new season while signaling a shift in the team's developmental priorities. It impacts the team's personnel depth as the organization aims to replicate or improve upon their successful 23-13 finish.

The acquisition of Zack Austin adds a high-efficiency contributor to the team's rotation following his solid preseason performance. Fans can monitor how his integration affects the rotation and offensive output as the Charge prepare for the upcoming schedule.

The takeaway

The move suggests a focus on acquiring rights to promising talent to bolster team competitiveness. Maintaining a strong pipeline of player talent remains a primary strategy for G League success.