Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire De’Andre Hunter in Trade with Atlanta Hawks

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a significant move, acquiring forward De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade, announced today by Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman. As part of the deal, Cleveland sent three second-round picks, two pick swaps, forward Georges Niang, and guard Caris LeVert to Atlanta.

Hunter (6-7, 225) has had a standout season, playing in 38 games (four starts) for the Hawks, averaging a career-high 19.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.84 steals, while shooting a career-high .461 from the field, .393 from three-point range, and .858 from the free-throw line.

His performance off the bench has been especially impressive, as he leads all NBA reserves in scoring with 18.9 points per game, marking the highest average for an NBA reserve since Lou Williams in 2017-18 (21.0 points). Hunter has scored 20 or more points 18 times off the bench this season, the most among NBA reserves, and his 137 free throws made off the bench also leads all reserves.

Notably, Hunter tied the NBA season-high for points off the bench with a career-high 35 points against Minnesota on January 27.

“We are thrilled to add De’Andre Hunter to our roster,” said Altman. “His defensive versatility, combined with his ability to stretch the floor and score efficiently, significantly enhances our depth. This trade is a strategic move for both our short- and long-term goals, and we are confident that De’Andre, at 27 years old, fits our vision for sustainable success and ultimately contending for championships.”

Hunter, a six-year NBA veteran, has played in 300 regular-season games (241 starts) with Atlanta, averaging 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and shooting .449 from the field and .368 from three.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has also appeared in 16 postseason games, averaging 16.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 40% from three. Hunter played a key role in helping the University of Virginia win the 2019 national championship, alongside current Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome.

Altman also expressed gratitude towards LeVert and Niang for their contributions to the franchise. “We want to thank Caris and Georges for their professionalism and dedication,” Altman said. “Both have been vital to our success this season. Caris’ adaptability and Georges’ leadership have had a lasting impact on our organization, and we wish them the best moving forward.”

LeVert (6-6, 205) played in 199 games for the Cavaliers over parts of four seasons, averaging 12.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 28.5 minutes. Niang (6-7, 235) played in 133 games for Cleveland, averaging 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds over two seasons. Both players contributed significantly to the Cavaliers’ success during their time in Cleveland.

Hunter will wear jersey #12 for the Cavaliers, and with this trade, the Cavs’ roster now stands at 16 players. This acquisition marks an important step in the team’s pursuit of excellence as they aim to strengthen their roster for the future.