Cavs interested in De’Andre Hunter

The Cavs showed interest in the Hawks wing last season as well.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly showing interest in Atlanta Hawks wing De’Andre Hunter according to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype. The Cavs have shown interest in Hunter previously, making the report more credible.

Atlanta is also reportedly gauging the market for Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela, indicating they are looking to do more than retool the roster.

A deal for Hunter would have to involve some significant outgoing salary to make things match. Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, and Sam Merrill are just a few possible players who could be sent to Atlanta. LeVert has an expiring $16.6 million contract, which would certainly be of interest to the Hawks as they look to get off Hunter’s deal in the process.

Hunter is due to make $23.3 million next season and $24.9 the season after. The Cavs will quickly be one of the more expensive teams in the NBA, so taking on Hunter’s contract could prove challenging.

The 27-year-old Hunter is having a nice season for the middling Hawks, averaging 18.9 points per game on 45.9% shooting from the floor and 38.6% from beyond the three-point line. Atlanta is significantly better on offense when Hunter is on the floor (+4.5 points per 100 possessions), but the defense sags considerably with him out there. That could be a byproduct of a mediocre Hawks defense, but Hunter is not the defender he has the reputation of being.

The cost of acquiring Hunter may be too steep for the Cavs, and that isn't a bad thing. The numerous injuries Hunter has endured over the years, coupled with being an average offensive player, aren't particularly exciting. But his size on the wing would be helpful for a Cavs team that has once again had to endure injuries of their own.