The Cleveland Cavaliers intend to give forward De’Andre Hunter a significantly larger workload when the 2024-25 campaign begins, hoping the former Atlanta Hawk can fill the two-way wing role the club has been seeking since Donovan Mitchell’s arrival.
Hunter, 26, was acquired from the Hawks in February while enjoying a career-best season that briefly placed him in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation. Once in Cleveland, his scoring dipped in deference to Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, yet coaches saw enough flashes to believe he can thrive at small forward.
Playoff injuries limited Hunter to roughly 11 points per game this past spring, but the Cavaliers’ staff is preparing a broader menu of responsibilities for the upcoming season. New head coach Kenny Atkinson plans to test varied lineups that move Hunter away from simple spot-up duties, including opportunities to initiate pick-and-roll actions with Mobley.
Hunter averaged 19.0 points on nearly 40 percent shooting from three-point range during his final stretch in Atlanta, production the Cavaliers hope to unlock in Northeast Ohio. With Garland expected to miss the opening weeks because of injury, Atkinson will lean on Hunter to share primary scoring and playmaking duties.
If Hunter proves capable in that expanded role, Cleveland believes it will not only weather Garland’s absence but also gain a new offensive wrinkle for the rest of the season.
Source: Hoops Wire
