The Hawks have skidded out of the All-Star break, losing four of their first five games, and it looks all but certain that Atlanta will once again be in the play-in tournament. While the trade deadline acquisitions have helped, they haven’t resulted in more wins because the roster just isn’t where it needs to be to be competitive. That isn’t the case for the players they traded away at the deadline, most notably De’Andre Hunter, who has thrived with a surging Cavs team.
“League executives pointed to the fit De’Andre Hunter brings to Cleveland,” ESPN pundit Brian Windhorst said. “The Cavs risked their excellent team chemistry by moving Caris LeVert, who was in the midst of his best season in Cleveland, in the deal to gain more size on the perimeter.”
“I don’t think Hunter has missed a shot since he put on that uniform,” one scout told Windhorst.
Hunter has missed a few, but not many. The former 4th overall pick is shooting a ridiculous 60.6% from beyond the arc for the Cavaliers, helping the club to seven straight wins since he joined them, including an impressive victory over the Celtics last night in come-from-behind fashion, which might be a key indicator of why the Cavs targeted the former Hawks 3-and-D.
“He’s a picture-perfect guy for contending with Boston,” a scout said to Tim Bontemps. “He’s not a stopper [defensively]. But he can at least give them trouble.”
Along with that defensive effort, Hunter can seamlessly fit with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. The Hawks took a risk moving the contract because of De’Andre Hunter’s injury history, but it’s clearly worked out for the Cavs thus far.
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Photographer: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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