De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL

Moderators: Clav, Domejandro, ken6199, bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid, cupcakesnake, bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285

doogie_hauser
Head Coach
Posts: 6,063
And1: 7,221
Joined: Feb 04, 2024
         

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#81 » by doogie_hauser » Fri Feb 7, 2025 3:03 am

kg01 wrote:
doogie_hauser wrote:
Pantsman wrote:

Cleveland has the best record in the league with below average SFs. Add an average to above average SF and it’s gonna make a difference.


Talking more in terms of Atlanta being hosed and their F/O not knowing what they are doing tbh


Oh they know what they're doing all right. The problem is their goals are mainly to cut costs. Being in the middle works for them financially so they'll never reach for anything beyond that.

As has been the case for 40+ years, the Hawks (cl)ownership ensures they'll never build or maintain a winning team.


Probably a fair comment sadly

Unfortunately Silver's Apron/Tax laws only futhrr justify penny pinching owners like Atlanta's
JujitsuFlip
RealGM
Posts: 14,846
And1: 9,185
Joined: Sep 10, 2021

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#82 » by JujitsuFlip » Fri Feb 7, 2025 3:07 am

KOA wrote:
JujitsuFlip wrote:
KOA wrote:
Cavs have the best offensive rating in the league. They are 6th in defensive rating with both Wade and Okoro being very good defenders to cover off Garland and Mitchell. Where does Hunter fit in?

They needed a 3 & D player. Hunter is not that guy….
I mean, he's hitting 39.3% from deep on 6.7 threes per game. Seems to be a good start lol


Levert was shooting 40.5% from deep while being a much better defender.

Hunter is the sexier name, but really don’t see him being a better fit
I think Hunter, like LeVert will benefit from being on this team. He's 6'8" can't teach that.
CP War Hawks
Analyst
Posts: 3,414
And1: 1,556
Joined: Nov 28, 2017
     

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#83 » by CP War Hawks » Fri Feb 7, 2025 3:11 am

KOA wrote:
JujitsuFlip wrote:
KOA wrote:
Cavs have the best offensive rating in the league. They are 6th in defensive rating with both Wade and Okoro being very good defenders to cover off Garland and Mitchell. Where does Hunter fit in?

They needed a 3 & D player. Hunter is not that guy….
I mean, he's hitting 39.3% from deep on 6.7 threes per game. Seems to be a good start lol


Levert was shooting 40.5% from deep while being a much better defender.

Hunter is the sexier name, but really don’t see him being a better fit


Not much of a difference of impact between the two guys imo. Hunter maybe has a better ability to body up the bigger wings like Luka, but he's not a very good defender since his injuries over the years. He's best off the bench as he's a slow starter.

Hawks will attempt to be players in FA. They open around 20 million in space with these moves and could inch closer to 30 if they clear Niang in a trade. They were cooked once JJ was diagnosed with the labrum injury and needed to purge salary.
ChuckChilly
Analyst
Posts: 3,419
And1: 3,202
Joined: Jun 30, 2011
Location: Atlanta
 

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#84 » by ChuckChilly » Fri Feb 7, 2025 3:23 am

HMFFL wrote:Caris LeVert was the problem for Cleveland last season and now they dump their trash on Atlanta.

He was Clevelands third optionast sesson with 12.1 field goal attempts per game. The Hawks apparently like medicore shooters.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app


Bad trade, but he's an expiring contract.
DaPessimist
Head Coach
Posts: 6,210
And1: 7,979
Joined: Feb 08, 2018
Location: HB, CA
       

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#85 » by DaPessimist » Fri Feb 7, 2025 3:35 am

Could be the last piece to the puzzle. I'm not happy if I'm a Boston fan. How has Hunter played historically against Brown/Tatum?
Pantsman
Analyst
Posts: 3,745
And1: 4,457
Joined: Jan 04, 2018

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#86 » by Pantsman » Fri Feb 7, 2025 4:48 am

DaPessimist wrote:Could be the last piece to the puzzle. I'm not happy if I'm a Boston fan. How has Hunter played historically against Brown/Tatum?


He was really good last time they played in the playoffs

https://youtu.be/4kNHwB_6j6Q?si=R3CyvVw0TvfaZYpZ
Blacksheep25
Rookie
Posts: 1,239
And1: 1,401
Joined: Jun 01, 2018

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#87 » by Blacksheep25 » Fri Feb 7, 2025 5:13 am

epfou1 wrote:As an Atlanta fan, i think the Cavs should keep Hunter as a 6th man.

He has chronic knee issues and needs to be managed. If you give him starter minutes, I have no doubt his knees will flare up again.


Honestly it really doesn’t matter much. He has played 28.8 per game. The Cavs starters average from JA at 29 to Mitchell the highest at 31.4. The Cavs have basically two lineups to throw at you and Kenny mixes and matches minutes so well, it is more just which lineup does he fit best with. With JBB being Thibs lite, he’d have ran Hunter into the ground in two weeks, but now it’s aperfect spot for him.
JonFromVA
RealGM
Posts: 15,149
And1: 5,032
Joined: Dec 08, 2009
     

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#88 » by JonFromVA » Fri Feb 7, 2025 8:09 am

Blacksheep25 wrote:
epfou1 wrote:As an Atlanta fan, i think the Cavs should keep Hunter as a 6th man.

He has chronic knee issues and needs to be managed. If you give him starter minutes, I have no doubt his knees will flare up again.


Honestly it really doesn’t matter much. He has played 28.8 per game. The Cavs starters average from JA at 29 to Mitchell the highest at 31.4. The Cavs have basically two lineups to throw at you and Kenny mixes and matches minutes so well, it is more just which lineup does he fit best with. With JBB being Thibs lite, he’d have ran Hunter into the ground in two weeks, but now it’s aperfect spot for him.


When you go past our core 4, Max Strus is playing the most minutes at just 24.6 mpg. LeVert was playing just 23.8.

We should be able to keep Hunter's minutes under control even if the medical staff doesn't insist on it.
Chokic
Bench Warmer
Posts: 1,252
And1: 999
Joined: Mar 30, 2023

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#89 » by Chokic » Fri Feb 7, 2025 8:16 am

Cavs or Knicks will come out of the east.
scrabbarista
RealGM
Posts: 20,257
And1: 17,962
Joined: May 31, 2015

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#90 » by scrabbarista » Fri Feb 7, 2025 1:41 pm

This was my favorite trade of the deadline - from CLE's side.
All human life on the earth is like grass, and all human glory is like a flower in a field. The grass dries up and its flower falls off, but the Lord’s word endures forever.
scrabbarista
RealGM
Posts: 20,257
And1: 17,962
Joined: May 31, 2015

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#91 » by scrabbarista » Fri Feb 7, 2025 1:45 pm

JujitsuFlip wrote:
KOA wrote:
JujitsuFlip wrote:I mean, he's hitting 39.3% from deep on 6.7 threes per game. Seems to be a good start lol


Levert was shooting 40.5% from deep while being a much better defender.

Hunter is the sexier name, but really don’t see him being a better fit
I think Hunter, like LeVert will benefit from being on this team. He's 6'8" can't teach that.


You can't teach 5'9" either.
All human life on the earth is like grass, and all human glory is like a flower in a field. The grass dries up and its flower falls off, but the Lord’s word endures forever.
7seventynine9
Senior
Posts: 722
And1: 374
Joined: Jul 06, 2006

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#92 » by 7seventynine9 » Fri Feb 7, 2025 2:04 pm

When he's out there with the core 4, they'll have 5 guys who can score you. While LaVert and Niang were shooting the 3 well, Hunter is probably an improvement there as well when you factor in volume.

There should be plenty of minutes to go around too, as LaVert and Niang were averging 44 a game and none of their starters averaging much more than 30. That and Wade is out for awhile, though you'd have to think the Cavs prefer Hunter over Wade.

They'll also have a very good 8 man rotation come the playoffs. This is a really good trade for the Cavs.
7seventynine9
Senior
Posts: 722
And1: 374
Joined: Jul 06, 2006

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#93 » by 7seventynine9 » Fri Feb 7, 2025 2:07 pm

DaPessimist wrote:Could be the last piece to the puzzle. I'm not happy if I'm a Boston fan. How has Hunter played historically against Brown/Tatum?


13.5/4.6/1.5 on .407/.365/.844 shooting with a 53.6 TS% in 13 regular season games over the course of his career.

Last year during the playoffs: 6 games, 16.7/5.7/1.2 shooting .459/.368/.800.
JujitsuFlip
RealGM
Posts: 14,846
And1: 9,185
Joined: Sep 10, 2021

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#94 » by JujitsuFlip » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:19 pm

scrabbarista wrote:
JujitsuFlip wrote:
KOA wrote:
Levert was shooting 40.5% from deep while being a much better defender.

Hunter is the sexier name, but really don’t see him being a better fit
I think Hunter, like LeVert will benefit from being on this team. He's 6'8" can't teach that.


You can't teach 5'9" either.
I haven't been that short in like 20 years, so can't really comment on if it is teachable or not lol
User avatar
yoyoboy
RealGM
Posts: 15,866
And1: 19,077
Joined: Jan 29, 2015
     

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#95 » by yoyoboy » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:34 pm

People bringing up Hunter’s weaknesses as a defender and playmaker need to consider just how dire the Cavs’ wing situation was. Hunter isn’t amazing, but he’s a good spot up three point shooter and he’s a big wing. Considering Dean Wade can never be relied upon to be healthy and Okoro lacks size plus can sometimes be played off the floor due to his offense, he’s a huge upgrade for us from having to oftentimes throw LeVert, Mitchell, Niang, and Strus at big wings like Tatum and Brown.
User avatar
bisme37
Forum Mod - Celtics
Forum Mod - Celtics
Posts: 24,829
And1: 72,106
Joined: May 24, 2014
 

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#96 » by bisme37 » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:48 pm

Pantsman wrote:Can a hawks fan let me know how his defense has been. Especially against brown,Tatum.


DaPessimist wrote:Could be the last piece to the puzzle. I'm not happy if I'm a Boston fan. How has Hunter played historically against Brown/Tatum?


He's a defensive upgrade on Niang for sure, but has never given Tatum much trouble.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter
User avatar
ijspeelman
Forum Mod - Cavs
Forum Mod - Cavs
Posts: 2,658
And1: 1,219
Joined: Feb 17, 2022
Contact:
   

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#97 » by ijspeelman » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:19 pm

bisme37 wrote:
Pantsman wrote:Can a hawks fan let me know how his defense has been. Especially against brown,Tatum.


DaPessimist wrote:Could be the last piece to the puzzle. I'm not happy if I'm a Boston fan. How has Hunter played historically against Brown/Tatum?


He's a defensive upgrade on Niang for sure, but has never given Tatum much trouble.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter


I am concerned about his defense, but idk if his raw per game stats really do anything for me. Based on how the Celts play, I assume they hunted Trae most of the time so Hunter was not his primary defender.
cgf
RealGM
Posts: 35,086
And1: 14,457
Joined: Jul 01, 2008
   

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#98 » by cgf » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:34 pm

yoyoboy wrote:People bringing up Hunter’s weaknesses as a defender and playmaker need to consider just how dire the Cavs’ wing situation was. Hunter isn’t amazing, but he’s a good spot up three point shooter and he’s a big wing. Considering Dean Wade can never be relied upon to be healthy and Okoro lacks size plus can sometimes be played off the floor due to his offense, he’s a huge upgrade for us from having to oftentimes throw LeVert, Mitchell, Niang, and Strus at big wings like Tatum and Brown.


I just think the odds are higher that we'll be able to pick on Hunter defensively than Wade will be injured AND Okoro will be unplayable offensively. Hunter's bigger than Okoro, but he's a worse defender at every position. He's not a downgrade from Levert, so I'm not saying the move made you worse, but I'd rather you have him out there with your core 4 than Wade / Okoro.
Capn'O wrote:We're the recovering meth addict older brother. And we've been clean for a few years now, thank you very much. Very uncouth to bring it up.

Brunson: So what are you paid to do?
Hart: Run around like an idiot during the game and f*** s*** up!
User avatar
yoyoboy
RealGM
Posts: 15,866
And1: 19,077
Joined: Jan 29, 2015
     

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#99 » by yoyoboy » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:52 pm

cgf wrote:
yoyoboy wrote:People bringing up Hunter’s weaknesses as a defender and playmaker need to consider just how dire the Cavs’ wing situation was. Hunter isn’t amazing, but he’s a good spot up three point shooter and he’s a big wing. Considering Dean Wade can never be relied upon to be healthy and Okoro lacks size plus can sometimes be played off the floor due to his offense, he’s a huge upgrade for us from having to oftentimes throw LeVert, Mitchell, Niang, and Strus at big wings like Tatum and Brown.


I just think the odds are higher that we'll be able to pick on Hunter defensively than Wade will be injured AND Okoro will be unplayable offensively. Hunter's bigger than Okoro, but he's a worse defender at every position. He's not a downgrade from Levert, so I'm not saying the move made you worse, but I'd rather you have him out there with your core 4 than Wade / Okoro.

I'm a big Wade guy, so I do think when healthy he's better than Hunter because of how awesome he is as a defender/rebounder. But he is never healthy. It's the same story every year, so it's far more likely come playoffs Hunter will be there closing games with the other four guys because Wade will either be out or he'll have recently returned from an injury and he needs more reps to return to form.

I'm just not high on Okoro. He's a good defender but he's a very limited one. He's just too small to put against guys above 6'5, as they shoot over his contests fairly easily, and he provides nothing in terms of rebounding, help rim protection, or being a threat in the passing lanes. Come playoffs, other teams will be daring him to try to make a play with the ball and they'll be willing to sag off him from the corner, and he won't be able to consistently make the defense pay in either of those scenarios.
JujitsuFlip
RealGM
Posts: 14,846
And1: 9,185
Joined: Sep 10, 2021

Re: De'Andre Hunter Traded to Cavs - Levert, Niang, picks to ATL 

Post#100 » by JujitsuFlip » Fri Feb 7, 2025 7:57 pm

bisme37 wrote:
Pantsman wrote:Can a hawks fan let me know how his defense has been. Especially against brown,Tatum.


DaPessimist wrote:Could be the last piece to the puzzle. I'm not happy if I'm a Boston fan. How has Hunter played historically against Brown/Tatum?


He's a defensive upgrade on Niang for sure, but has never given Tatum much trouble.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter
He looks like BBQ chicken for sure. But, i will say, the team defense is absolutely atrocious in almost every clip lol

Return to The General Board