Cavs acquire De’Andre Hunter from Hawks for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang and draft considerations

Regardless that the Cavs, 41-10 this season, didn’t method Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline as a determined staff that wanted to do one thing substantial, they have been at all times taking a look at potential upgrades — supplied the value wasn’t too steep and the participant was the best match, on and off the courtroom.

Enter Hunter.

The 6-foot-8 small ahead is averaging career-highs in factors (19.0) and 3-point share (39.3) whereas turning into one of many main candidates for Sixth Man of the Yr.

Regardless of battling accidents all through his profession, Hunter has performed in 37 video games this season, coming off the bench for all however 4 of these video games. Hunter has additionally been a starter — the position he may occupy with the Cavaliers, relying on how coach Kenny Atkinson needs to spherical out his beginning quintet.

At numerous factors this season, the Cavs have used Dean Wade, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus and Levert because the fifth starter. Hunter may lastly solidify that spot.

Underneath contract by way of the 2026-27 marketing campaign, Hunter makes $21.6 million this 12 months and is ready to make $23.3 million and $24.9 million the next two seasons. Whereas it’s a profitable deal, there’s a component of interesting staff management that comes with it, particularly for a franchise that has 4 high-priced gamers (Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen) already on the roster and was taking a look at the opportunity of dropping LeVert in free company.

By avoiding the tax this 12 months, the Cavs’ repeat offender clock received’t start till subsequent season when Mobley’s max extension begins (together with max contracts for Garland and Mitchell). Which means the Cavs received’t hit repeat offender standing till 2028-29 — a prohibitive threshold.

Sources say the Cavs confirmed curiosity in a handful of two-way wings with dimension, size, athleticism and positional versatility — gamers who higher match up in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis, Houston, Boston and New York, amongst others — however stored Hunter close to the highest of their proverbial want record the complete time.

In latest weeks, members of the entrance workplace even carried out in depth background checks on him, discussing his potential match with trusted sources in Atlanta and elsewhere. Cavs reserve Ty Jerome, Hunter’s finest good friend and former school teammate, was considered one of Hunter’s greatest advocates. As was former Cavalier ahead Larry Nance Jr., who has been enjoying alongside Hunter in Atlanta this season.

Because the deadline approached, Cleveland’s decision-makers weighed all the pieces. Match. Crew chemistry. Play type. They took under consideration the luxurious tax and future wage cap implications. They knew any transfer could be fragile, one thing gamers spoke about over the previous few days, boasting that they’d sufficient to compete for an NBA championship.

However the Cleveland mind belief didn’t see it the identical. They decided that addressing a roster flaw, which Atkinson hinted at a number of instances just lately, was extra important to their title quest than preserving chemistry and continuity. Particularly with the long-coveted Hunter obtainable and Atlanta having an affordable asking worth.

Though it price LeVert and Niang — two trusted and beloved mainstays of the staff’s dependable second unit — and a few future draft issues, the Cavs have been in a position to preserve Okoro, No. 20 total decide Jaylon Tyson and the dear 2031 first-round pick of the deal, giving them flexibility and optionality transferring ahead.

Sources say the Cavs, with two open roster spots now, will monitor the approaching buyout marketplace for different win-now additions. It may very well be a backup large to assist exchange Niang and supply extra frontcourt depth. Perhaps one other ready-made wing just like the 27-year-old Hunter who has made 16 profession postseason appearances, together with six in opposition to convention rival — and reigning champion — Boston, which has already overwhelmed Cleveland twice this season.

Years in the past, forward of the 2019 NBA Draft, Cleveland had Hunter on its radar, contemplating him with the fifth total decide earlier than the Hawks moved forward in a commerce with New Orleans, snagging Hunter whereas the Cavs chosen Garland. It labored out effectively, with Garland turning into a franchise pillar and two-time NBA All-Star. However throughout Hunter’s time in Atlanta, Cleveland stored tabs on him from afar, typically inquiring about his availability.

That persistence paid off Thursday. He’s lastly a Cavalier.