Big trade went down.
In the last 24 hours, rumors have really ramped up around the Cleveland Cavaliers’ interest in De’Andre Hunter. Now, news has broken about a trade and the return Atlanta is getting for their long-time forward:
The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/5fpE4LJzpK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025
Hunter was averaging a career-high 19.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season after moving into a sixth-man role in 37 total appearances (33 off the bench).
Caris LeVert and Georges Niang both come as lower cost players (with LeVert’s deal expiring after the season), helping clear the books for the future for Atlanta. LeVert helps the team with his ball handling and creation while Niang is largely a spot up shooter.
The Hawks targeted Hunter with a draft day move into the fourth overall pick back in 2019, and in the years since, Hunter has been a part of an Eastern Conference Finalist team and multiple other playoff teams. For his career — all with the Hawks — he averaged 14.8 points per game, hard-working defense, and a consistent, calm demeanor to the locker room and press conferences.
All the best, Dre!