The Atlanta Hawks have completed a trade that sends wing De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round draft picks, and two pick swaps. This trade was reported by Shams Charania of ESPN ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.

De'Andre Hunter is having a noteworthy season, averaging 19 points per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and pulling down 3.9 rebounds per game. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc has been particularly impressive, as he has connected on 39.3 percent of his three-point attempts. Hunter, who is 27 years old, signed a four-year, $95 million contract extension with the Hawks in October 2022, which will keep him under contract through the 2026-27 season. Drafted fourth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft after leading the University of Virginia to an NCAA Championship, Hunter has shown promise throughout his career with averages of 14.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Despite his talents, Hunter's progress has been marred by injuries, which have hindered him significantly since the 2020-21 season. That season, he underwent surgery on a torn meniscus due to a right knee injury. More recently, in November 2021, he experienced a right wrist injury leading to a 25-game absence. Currently, he is contending with right knee inflammation that has once again caused him to miss time, although his performance this season has been his most productive to date. With this trade, Hunter concludes his six-year tenure with the Hawks and is anticipated to play a pivotal role as a sixth man for a Cavaliers team that holds a substantial lead in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers, eyeing their second NBA championship, face formidable competition from both the defending champion Boston Celtics and the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. Strengthening their bench with Hunter could be a significant step toward achieving their championship aspirations.