The Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday acquired ahead De’Andre Hunter in a commerce with the Atlanta Hawks, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman introduced from Cleveland Clinic Courts. As a part of the commerce, the Cavaliers despatched three second spherical picks, two decide swaps and ahead Georges Niang and guard Caris LeVert to Atlanta.
Hunter (6-7, 225) has performed in 38 video games (4 begins) for Atlanta this season, averaging a career-high 19.0 factors, 3.9 rebounds and a career-high 0.84 steals whereas taking pictures .461 from the sphere, a career-high .393 from the three-point line and .858 from the free-throw line in 28.8 minutes per contest. Hunter leads all NBA reserves this season in scoring, averaging 18.9 factors off the bench, which is the best scoring common for an NBA reserve since Lou Williams in 2017-18 (21.0 factors). Hunter has recorded 20 or extra factors 18 occasions off the bench this season, essentially the most amongst all NBA reserves. His 137 free throws made off the bench this season additionally leads NBA reserves. Hunter scored a career-high 35 factors (12-21 FG, 4-8 3FG) in opposition to Minnesota on January twenty seventh, tying the NBA season-high for factors off the bench in a recreation this season. Moreover, Hunter scored 15 or extra factors in 16 straight video games off the bench from November twenty seventh to January 1st earlier this season, which is tied for the Eleventh-longest streak of 15-point video games off the bench in NBA historical past.
“The acquisition of De’Andre Hunter and the potential impression a participant of this caliber can deliver to Cleveland is immeasurable,” stated Altman. “His defensive versatility, along with his skill to make photographs from the perimeter strengthens our total depth to an elite stage. We had been introduced with an ideal alternative with this commerce, one which was helpful for the short- and long-term way forward for this franchise. Whereas it’s all the time tough to half methods with gamers who’ve meant a lot to our success, we imagine De’Andre, at 27-years-old, aligns with our long-term imaginative and prescient of sustainable success and finally competing for Championships.”
Over his six-year NBA profession, Hunter has appeared in 300 common season video games (241 begins) with Atlanta, holding averages of 14.8 factors, 4.1 rebounds in 30.5 minutes. He’s additionally taking pictures .449 from the sphere, .368 from the three-point line and .819 from the foul line. The No. 4 total decide within the 2019 NBA Draft has additionally appeared in 16 profession postseason video games with the Hawks, averaging 16.3 factors and 4.6 rebounds in 34.3 minutes whereas additionally taking pictures 32-80 (.400) from the three-point line in his playoff profession. Hunter performed three seasons at College of Virginia, serving to the Cavaliers win the nationwide championship in 2019 alongside present Cleveland guard Ty Jerome.
“We need to thank each Caris and Georges for his or her contributions to our group,” added Altman. “Their professionalism and dedication each on and off the courtroom have been instrumental in our historic begin this season. Caris’ adaptability together with Georges’ management and expertise have been invaluable, and their time in Cleveland has left a profound and lasting impression. We want them nothing however the most effective for the rest of their NBA careers.”
LeVert (6-6, 205) appeared in 199 video games (53 begins) for the Cavaliers over elements of 4 completely different seasons (2022-2025) in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 factors, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.98 steals in 28.5 minutes. He shot .431 from the sphere, .363 from the three-point line and .738 from the free throw line. LeVert additionally appeared in 16 postseason video games with the Cavaliers over the past two seasons. Over 9 NBA seasons, LeVert has performed in 498 profession common season video games (223 begins) for Brooklyn, Indiana and Cleveland, holding profession averages of 13.8 factors, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.05 steals in 27.8 minutes.
Niang (6-7. 235) performed in 133 video games (11 begins) throughout his two seasons in Cleveland (2023-2025), averaging 9.1 factors and three.5 rebounds whereas taking pictures .459 from the sphere, .385 from the three-point line and .831 from the free throw line in 21.7 minutes. He additionally appeared in 10 playoff video games for Cleveland final season. Niang has appeared in 516 common season video games (30 begins) in his profession with Indiana, Utah, Philadelphia and Cleveland, holding profession averages of seven.2 factors and a pair of.5 rebounds whereas taking pictures .445 from the sphere, .398 from the three-point line and .858 from the free throw line in 17.2 minutes. He has additionally appeared in 56 profession postseason video games.
Hunter will put on jersey #12 for the Cavaliers and the Cavs roster now sits at 16 gamers.
