The Cleveland Cavaliers have uncovered a new layer of their game.
With De’Andre Hunter out there, the possibilities are endless.
At least, that’s how team analyst Mikey McNuggets feels.
Talking on “The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show,” he raved about how coach Kenny Atkinson has closed out back-to-back games with De’Andre Hunter at the four and Evan Mobley at the five.
While he agreed that the team lost a little rim protection with Jarrett Allen on the bench, having Mobley out there gave the team much more spacing and shot creation.
Also, if they have Dean Wade with Hunter and Mobley, they can switch one through five and create absolute mayhem on opposing teams to close out games.
The #Cavs have closed two straight games with Evan Mobley at the 5 and De'Andre Hunter at the 4.
It's early, but that might be the team's best closing lineup come playoff time.
Adding Hunter gives you shot creation & spacing without sacrificing size/length. Dangerous combo. pic.twitter.com/On9WNRYn3H
— Mikey McNuggets (@MikeLucasTV) March 3, 2025
That’s why Hunter was such a massive pickup.
He can guard one through five, and he’s big enough to hold his own against most players on both ends of the floor, so the Cavs won’t give up size with him at the four.
Hunter is shooting a scorching-hot 60% from beyond the arc since he arrived in Cleveland.
Of course, the Cavs also get a lot from Allen, who’s one of the best rebounders in the game and can anchor the paint like the best of them.
Then again, we’re in the positionless basketball era, and the Cavs are an absolute threat on offense when they have an all-shooter lineup out there.
Hunter isn’t a superstar, and that trade flew a little bit under the radar, but it might be the move that leads this team to an NBA championship.
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