The Atlanta Hawks have traded forward De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for guard Caris LeVert, forwards Georges Niang, and three second-round picks, along with two swaps. The deal was announced on Thursday.
Hunter, 27, has been having a career year, averaging 19 points, 6.7 three-point attempts, and 39.3% from beyond the arc. He’s had a larger role in Atlanta’s offense and is fulfilling his promise as a top-five pick in the 2019 draft. Hunter joins a Cavaliers team that sits atop the Eastern Conference, where he’ll add size on the wing.
LeVert, 30, was having a strong season in Cleveland, averaging 10.2 points and shooting 40.5% from three off the bench. However, his height as a small forward gave up some size disadvantage. Hunter is one of the best scorers off the bench this season, with 18 games scoring 20 or more points.
The trade strengthens the Cavaliers’ shooting, adding another catch-and-shoot threat to Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. The Cavs already have the best catch-and-shoot three-point percentage in the NBA, and Hunter’s addition will further space the floor.
Meanwhile, Atlanta has struggled without star forward Jalen Johnson, who suffered an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. The Hawks have dropped nine of their last 10 games and are rebuilding their roster.
The Cavaliers acquire a valuable player in LeVert, who spent four seasons with them before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Niang was also part of this deal, having appeared in all 51 games this season for Cleveland. Atlanta made additional moves before the Thursday deadline, sending Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for guards Terance Mann and Bones Hyland, as well as veteran center Cody Zeller and a Houston’s second-round pick.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43721012/sources-cavaliers-land-forward-deandre-hunter-hawks