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'It's an arms race in the East': Cavs' trade for De'Andre Hunter aimed at a playoff run
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- 'It's an arms race in the East': Cavs' trade for De'Andre Hunter aimed at a playoff run
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers weren't eager to mess with a locker room that had built a rare sense of chemistry along with one of the best records in the NBA this season. But they also felt they couldn't pass up a chance to improve the roster as they try to compete with the Boston Celtics for superiority in the East.
The Cavs have repeatedly noted how tight-knit this group has been in the locker room, even separate from all the wins and success that have accompanied coach Kenny Atkinson's first season in Cleveland .
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Before Thursday's trade deadline, the Cavs completed a trade to acquire forward De'Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for forward Georges Niang , guard Caris LeVert , three second-round picks and two pick-swaps.
LeVert was acquired via trade and later decided to re-sign with the Cavs. Niang had multiple offers in free agency and chose Cleveland, not only as a belief in what was being built but also to play alongside longtime friend Donovan Mitchell .
Both had their places in the Cavs locker room. The difficulty of breaking up that group was something president of basketball operations Koby Altman addressed when he spoke with the team.
"They didn't give me a standing ovation, but they get it and I think it's just important for them to hear from me the why and being transparent," Altman said on a Zoom call with reporters. "I think they understand it's a business, but they want honesty and transparency, and they deserve that.
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"We can feel both ways about this. We feel sadness. Those were close friends of guys on the team. … We're all excited about De'Andre, but it's OK to have empathy for our guys that went out."
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 23, 2025, in Atlanta.
How De'Andre Hunter fits with Cavs stars after trade deadline deal
The addition of Hunter could be a significant one for how he can help to neutralize one of Cleveland opponents' go-to strategies.
Hunter, who stands 6-foot-8, averaged 19.0 points while shooting 39.3% from 3-point range with the Hawks this season. Opponents have at times used their shooting guards and small forwards to defend Mitchell and Darius Garland . The Cavs have arguably the best backcourt in the NBA with two All-Stars , and they know that will often be defenses' top priority.
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That has left a point guard sometimes covering the Cavs' small forward, which has often been Max Strus . Dean Wade negated this strategy, but he's been sidelined with a knee injury. Hunter can provide the same insurance. It wasn't only a talent upgrade on paper, but the proper fit in how it allows the Cavs lineup to adjust.
"I think we're trying to exploit that more for sure," Altman said. "We have two all-world guards. You're going to have to come up with a lot of different ways to guard those guys. … Not too much much has slowed down Darius or Donovan, but I do think that, yes, you want to punish the switch."
The Cavs also know that even while being on pace for 66 wins and the No. 1 seed in the East, they'll still likely be slight underdogs against the Celtics in the potential playoff matchup. The Celtics, as reigning NBA champs, also recently beat the Cavs in Cleveland .
"You don't start off 15-0 without chemistry, great continuity and great vibes, but at the end of the day my job is to help this team get better, and we can't just rest on our record," Altman said. "We've got to get better, and it's an arms race in the East."
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) on Jan. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
De'Andre Hunter contract
LeVert had a cap hit of $16.6 million this season and had some extra trade value as an expiring contract. Niang had a cap hit of $8.5 million and was under contract through next season.
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Hunter has a cap hit of $21.7 million and is under contract for two additional seasons after this year.
The Cavs see some savings when it comes to the tax, although Altman stressed it wasn't a directive from owner Dan Gilbert ( who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Thursday night). Rather, Hunter gives them some stability that matches their contention window with several of their stars under contract for the next few seasons.
"There's a long runway here, and De'Andre fits that [timeline]," Altman said.
But aside from the financial aspects and how it aligns down the road, the deal was made with an eye on the playoffs, and what's to come as the Cavs try to climb that summit after taking small steps forward the last two years.
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"I think when you look at the teams we could potentially have to face and the matchups that are out there in terms of defensive versatility, scoring from the wing, the shot-making, the 3-point shooting, we got better," Altman said. "I don't know how to quantify that, I can't put that into percentages for you. All I know is we got size and length at the wing now that can guard multiple positions and that has been a prolific scorer this year that you have to account for on the floor at all times."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers trade for De'Andre Hunter with aim to beat Celtics
